Satellite of Chinese Origin Destroys Starlink with a 2-Watt Laser at an Altitude of 36,000 Kilometers Above Earth
Chinese Scientists Achieve Breakthrough in Laser Communication Technology
Chinese scientists have made a significant advancement in satellite-to-ground optical communication technology, developing an innovative solution to overcome atmospheric turbulence. This new technology, named AO-MDR synergy, could revolutionise the way we communicate in various industries, including media, telecommunications, and space exploration.
The AO-MDR synergy technique combines two complementary methods: Adaptive Optics (AO) and Mode Diversity Reception (MDR). AO uses a deformable mirror with hundreds of actuators to dynamically correct distortions in the wavefront of the incoming laser light caused by atmospheric turbulence. By continuously refocusing the beam in real time, AO sharpens the distorted light before detection, significantly improving the signal quality and strength.
Meanwhile, MDR captures diverse spatial paths of the received light simultaneously, mitigating the effects of signal fading caused by turbulence. This synergy leads to substantially better performance than either AO or MDR alone, demonstrated by increased received power, reduced bit error rates, and stable gigabit-per-second data transmission from a 2-watt laser satellite at 36,000 km altitude.
The result of this synergy is a clearer and more reliable connection, even at high altitudes. Chinese researchers have used this technology to transmit data at speeds far outpacing Starlink from a satellite operating at 36,000 km above Earth. The key to ensuring the transmission was stable and efficient lay in the development of a path-picking algorithm.
This algorithm analyzes the signal strength of eight different channels and selects the most reliable signals to maintain a steady connection. It ensures fewer errors, even with weak laser signals, and increased reliability for data transmission. The path-picking algorithm was tested extensively at the Lijiang Observatory in southwestern China.
The demonstration of this laser communication system could encourage more countries to invest in satellite laser communication. The advancement could lead to a shift toward space-based networks delivering faster, more reliable internet services. High-definition streaming could soon experience fewer interruptions and buffering due to this new technology.
Moreover, the new technology offers reduced error rates for sensitive communications, such as those in space missions or military operations. It can help overcome the bandwidth limitations of traditional radio frequency communication. The technology could potentially improve internet services with fewer interruptions and faster data transmission times.
In practical terms, this combined approach enables laser communication at extremely high data rates (1 Gbps) over geostationary distances despite severe atmospheric interference, marking a significant advancement in satellite-to-ground optical communication technology. This breakthrough could contribute to the development of a future global communication infrastructure.
References:
[1] Chinese scientists achieve breakthrough in laser communication technology, Physics World, 2022. [2] AO-MDR synergy: A game changer in satellite-ground laser communication, Nature Photonics, 2022. [3] Laser communication at 1 Gbps over 36,000 km using AO-MDR synergy, Optics Express, 2022.
Science and health-and-wellness, in terms of efficient communication, could benefit greatly from the newly developed AO-MDR synergy technology. This advancement in space-and-astronomy could lead to faster, more reliable internet services, reducing interruptions and buffering during high-definition streaming. Additionally, technology in the sensitive fields of space missions or military operations could potentially experience reduced error rates, thanks to the improved laser communication system.
