Modulation/Demodulation Techniques for an Optical One-Gigabit/Sec Intersatellite Data Transmission System

• Main Authors: Hance, H. V., Chow, K. K., Ohlmann, R. C., Peterson, D. G., Ward, R. B.
• Other Authors: Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory
• Language: en_US
• Published: International Foundation for Telemetering 1971
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/607035; http://arizona.openrepository.com/arizona/handle/10150/607035

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / September 27-29, 1971 / Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington, D.C. === In selecting a modulation format and modulation/demodulation techniques for a 1-Gbit/sec intersatellite data link, a judicious balance must be struck between a number of more or less contradictory factors for the choice to be an optimum one. Particularly important are the factors that determine the average transmitter input power required, as this has a large influence on launch weight and hence on cost. In this connection, both the inherent efficiency of the modulation format and the power losses involved in the implementation chosen obviously must be taken into account. The latter choice depends, in turn, upon the status of component development assumed, or, alternatively, on the amount of development risk that can be tolerated. Finally, in some applications, the ability of the system chosen to handle a variety of data signal formats and, in particular, to handle asynchronous data streams without requiring complex onboard signal processing such as bit stuffing and bit stream reclocking must be considered.