System model of a miniaturized laser communication terminal

The number of satellites launched into space is increasing rapidly, with many applications enabled by optical laser-based intersatellite communication terminals. While optical communication terminals for traditional satellites have been developed and demonstrated in orbit, miniaturized terminals for sub-CubeSat platforms still have to be developed. This paper presents a high-level system model of a laser communication terminal for such miniaturized platforms and details the related design process. First, a tool to analyze optical intersatellite link systems is developed and applied to different mission design scenarios. Then, the terminal system architecture is developed complying with size, weight, and power constraints for such miniaturized platforms, followed by a general framework to guide the design of intersatellite link terminals. This framework proves essential in the current era characterized by a multitude of miniaturized space systems, enabling the design of novel mission scenarios and applications.