Intersatellite Link Design Issues

An intersatellite link is a communications link that directly connects two separate satellites. One satellite could have several links to numerous other satellites. In some of the literature, ISLs have also been called crosslinks. The first Intersatellite Link ISL was demonstrated by radio amateurs in 1975. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA pursued testing that same year. NASA established links between satellites then in orbit. Sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and Navy, Lincoln Experimental Satellites LES 8 and 9 were launched in 1976 and established the technical feasibility of ISLs. This thesis explores some of the major design issues involved in ISLs. Two basic approaches are considered, millimeter wave MMW and optical. For the MMW approach, the design issues covered were frequency, antenna positioning, acquisition and tracking, antenna type, power amplification, and link analysis. For the optical approach, the design issues covered were laser source selection, optical detection, tracking and acquisition, and proposed systems. Trade-offs involved in system design were analyzed and possible applications of ISLs discussed.