McMaster University

Purpose

The goal of this project is to demonstrate the key elements of satellite-based optical communication as initially envisioned by the Optical SatCom Consortium (OSC). This will be the first demonstration of an optical satellite downlink to a Canadian location. The Optical Ground Receiver (OGR) will be augmented to allow for both communications as well as atmospheric measurement functions. The augmented OGR will link to current in-orbit satellites. A 1550 nm communications link will be maintained over a 1-year period providing a rich set of data and expertise on the establishment of optical satellite downlinks in a Canadian context. Measured data collected on the fluctuations of the dynamic atmospheric channel while tracking a low-Earth orbiting satellite are currently unavailable for any location. Establishing this data set will provide an important and unique advantage to Canadian academic and commercial efforts in developing essential optical satcom technologies to the direct benefit of Canadians.