Simulation of Ground-to-Space Optical Propagation
Abstract
Computer simulations were performed to determine the degree of correction achievable with phase-conjugate adaptive optics. The purpose was to investigate the effect of four error sources on the performance of an adaptive optics system used to compensate for the effects of atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of visible wavelength laser radiation between a ground-based transmitter and a space-borne receiver. The four error sources considered were: (1) finite spatial bandwidth corrector mirror; (2) finite temporal bandwidth servo system; (3) measurement noise; and (4) anisoplanatism. We investigated both the separate and combined effects of these errors. Results obtained when the errors were introduced separately agree well with the predictions obtained from the analytical relations used to represent these effects in the SLC (strategtic Laser Communication) Uplink model prepared for use in systems calculations. As expected, we found that when all the errors are present simultaneously their effects are not always accurately modeled by these analytical relations. This is particularly true in the case of the effects of having finite spatial and/or temporal bandwidth in combination with those due to anisoplanatism. In such cases, the Strehl ratio obtained in the simulations was up to a factor of two higher than that predicted by the SLC Uplink model analytical relations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA169628
Entities
People
- G. C. Valley
- S. C. Fry
- W. P. Brown
Organizations
- HRL Laboratories