Wide-field-of-view rapid acquisition and tracking control for portable optical communication systems

Abstract

Optical communication technology has been extensively applied in long-distance space communication due to its numerous advantages. With the advancement of CubeSat technology, portable optical communication systems have also emerged. When applied to ground-based scenarios, this technology can effectively support emergency high-speed communication in environments where radio frequencies are unavailable or restricted. However, its primary limitation lies in the rapid acquisition of wide-field-of-view laser links. To address this challenge, we propose a compact coaxial transceiver design for a portable optical communication terminal, utilizing Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) micromirrors and a Quadrant Detector (QD). Furthermore, we developed a QD spot position deviation rapid acquisition algorithm for quickly determining the laser spot position on the QD. This represents a novel and efficient technique for achieving fast and precise large-area acquisition and tracking control. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed portable optical communication terminal is capable of rapid deployment and efficient laser link acquisition, completing acquisition within 83 s over a distance of 506 m, within a 60° × 40° field of view. These findings mark a significant advancement toward the practical application of ground-based portable optical communication technology.