Analysis of optical communications in the O3b satellite constellation

Abstract

Satellite communications are of great importance in providing, for example, access to the Internet for a large part of the population. These communications are based on radio frequency links. In recent years, however, given the saturation in the radio frequency spectrum, and with the search for improvements in communication, communication through optical links emerged. Given this, this work proposes a study of radio frequency communications and optical communications, through the constellation of satellites in orbit MEO called O3b MEO. To do this, the Silleo simulator is used, a tool that allows the design of air and sea navigation support systems and orbital designs for satellite communications. This present study expands the functionality of this simulator, adding the necessary equations for the calculation and study of optical communications to perform the practical study.