面向低轨星座的空间激光通信终端全视场微弧度级光学标定方法

解青坤; 徐常志; 边晶莹; 郑小松; 张博

doi:10.11999/JEIT250734

面向低轨星座的空间激光通信终端全视场微弧度级光学标定方法

doi: 10.11999/JEIT250734 cstr: 32379.14.JEIT250734

西安空间无线电技术研究所西安 710100

详细信息

作者简介:
解青坤：男，工程师，研究方向为空间激光通信

徐常志：男，研究员，研究方向为空间激光通信

边晶莹：女，高级工程师，研究方向为空间激光通信

郑小松：男，研究员，研究方向为空间激光通信

张博：男，工程师，研究方向为空间激光通信

通讯作者:
徐常志　sandy_xu@126.com

中图分类号: TN929
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- 被引次数: 0
出版历程
- 收稿日期: 2025-08-07
- 修回日期: 2025-10-28
- 录用日期: 2025-11-05
- 网络出版日期: 2025-11-15

Full Field-of-View Optical Calibration with Microradian-Level Accuracy for Space Laser Communication Terminals on Low-Earth-Orbit Constellation Applications

Xi'an Institute of Space Radio Technology, Xi’an 710100, China

摘要

摘要: 星间激光通信因其具有超大信道容量、极低传输损耗和物理层高安全性，已成为下一代低轨巨型星座实现全球高速数据传输的核心技术。然而，低轨卫星的高速相对运动与复杂轨道摄动，对激光终端的快速建链与稳定跟踪构成了严峻挑战。为实现稳定可靠的通信链路，必须在全空间范围内建立粗指向机构(CPA)与探测器间微弧度量级的光学标定关系。该文提出一种面向低轨星座的全视场微弧度级光学标定方法，将复杂光机耦合误差统一建模为线性映射关系，利用CPA的随机微扰动运动构建其转角微偏移量与探测器光斑位移间的共轭关系，从而精确估计光学标定矩阵。实验结果表明，该方法可有效抑制光学像旋、跨象限运动、异常跟踪及镜像等系统误差，全空间跟踪精度优于5 μrad，显著提升了终端动态跟踪性能。
- 激光终端 /
- 微扰动 /
- 标定 /
- 粗指向机构
Abstract: Objective The Coarse Pointing Assembly (CPA) is a core element in laser communication systems and supports wide-field scanning, active orbit–attitude compensation, and dynamic disturbance isolation. To address multi-source disturbances such as orbital perturbations and attitude maneuvers, a high-precision, high-bandwidth, and fast-response Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) algorithm is required. Establishing a full Field-Of-View (FOV) optical calibration model between the CPA and the detector is essential for suppressing image degradation caused by spatial pointing deviations. Conventional calibration methods often rely on ray tracing to simulate beam offsets and infer calibration relationships, yet they show several limitations. These limitations include high modeling complexity caused by non-coaxial paths, multi-reflective surfaces, and freeform optics; susceptibility to systematic errors generated by assembly tolerances, detector non-uniformity, and thermal drift; and restricted applicability across the full FOV due to spatial anisotropy. A high-precision calibration method that remains effective across the entire FOV is therefore needed to overcome these challenges and ensure stable and reliable laser communication links. Methods To achieve precise CPA–detector calibration and address the limitations of traditional approaches, this paper presents a full FOV optical calibration method with microradian-level accuracy. Based on the optical design characteristics of periscope-type laser terminals, an equivalent optical transmission model of the CPA is established and the mechanism of image rotation is examined. Leveraging the structural rigidity of the optical transceiver channel, the optical transmission matrix is simplified to a constant matrix, yielding a full-space calibration model that directly links CPA micro-perturbations to spot displacements. By correlating the CPA rotation angles between the calibration target points and the actual operating positions, the calibration task is further reduced to estimating the calibration matrix at the target points. Random micro-perturbations are applied to the CPA to induce corresponding micro-displacements of the detector spot. A calibration equation based on CPA motion and spot displacement is formulated, and the calibration matrix is obtained through least-squares regression. The full-space calibration relationship between the CPA and detector is then derived through matrix operations. Results and Discussions Using the proposed calibration method, an experimental platform (Fig. 4) is constructed for calibration and verification with a periscope laser terminal. Accurate measurements of the conjugate motion relationship between the CPA and the CCD detector spot are obtained (Tab. 1). To evaluate calibration accuracy and full-space applicability, systematic verification is conducted through single-step static pointing and continuous dynamic tracking. In the static pointing verification, the mechanical rotary table is moved to three extreme diagonal positions, and the CPA performs open-loop pointing based on the established CPA–detector calibration relationship. Experimental results show that the spot reaches the intended target position (Fig. 5), with a pointing accuracy below 12 mrad (RMS). In the dynamic tracking experiment, system control parameters are optimized to maintain stable tracking of the platform beam. During low-angular-velocity motion of the rotary table, the laser terminal sustains stable tracking (Fig. 6). The CPA trajectory shows a clear conjugate relationship with the rotary table motion (Fig. 6(a), Fig. 6(b)), and the tracking accuracy in both orthogonal directions is below 4 mrad (Fig. 6(c), Fig. 6(d)). The independence of the optical transmission matrix from the selection of calibration target points is also examined. By increasing the spatial accessibility of calibration points, the method reduces operational complexity while maintaining calibration precision. Improved spatial distribution of calibration points further enhances calibration efficiency and accuracy. Conclusions This paper presents a full FOV optical calibration method with microradian-level accuracy based on single-target micro-perturbation measurement. To satisfy engineering requirements for rapid linking and stable tracking, a full-space optical matrix model for CPA–detector calibration is constructed using matrix optics. Random micro-perturbations applied to the CPA at a single target point generate a generalized transfer equation, from which the calibration matrix is obtained through least-squares estimation. Experimental results show that the model mitigates image rotation, mirroring, and tracking anomalies, suppresses calibration residuals to below 12 mrad across the full FOV, and limits the dynamic tracking error to within 5 mrad per axis. The method eliminates the need for additional hardware and complex alignment procedures, providing a high-precision and low-complexity solution that supports rapid deployment in the mass production of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) laser terminals.
- Laser terminal /
- Micro-perturbation /
- Calibration /
- Coarse Pointing Assembly(CPA)

HTML全文

图 1 激光终端组成示意图

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图 2 潜望式CPA光路示意图

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图 3 随机微扰动标定测量法流程图

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图 4 潜望式激光终端CPA光学标定及验证实验测试平台

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图 5 CPA单步开环指向工况下的光斑质心运动轨迹曲线

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图 6 激光终端动态跟踪实验结果

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表 1 CPA和光斑位移共轭运动实验测试结果

次数 △cpax_j/LSB △cpay_j/LSB △x_j/pixel △y_j/pixel

1 –350 –150.30 –3.6 –8.4

2 300 125.25 3.0 7.2

3 –125 450.90 10.8 –3.0

4 150 225.45 5.4 3.6

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