Cube1G extends the CubeISL terminal with a coarse pointing assembly that can move the laser beam independently of the carrier system. This means that the communication link is no longer dependent on the satellite's attitude.
Until now, the rough alignment of the laser beam was always done by the satellite itself. In Cube1G, a coarse pointing unit has been developed that can move the laser in any direction. The so-called Coarse Pointing Assembly (CPA) is compatible with the CubeISL terminal and can be combined with it to form the Cube1G terminal. The additional flexibility enables data transmission independently of the satellite's position. For example, ground stations can be selected individually according to availability.
It also extends connections between satellites to include the ability to serve not only satellites in the same orbit, but also satellites whose orbits cross.
Furthermore, the CPA enables the actual satellite mission to be carried out in parallel, while data can be sent simultaneously via the laser. Until now, you had to decide whether you wanted to transmit data or continue with the nominal satellite operation.
Testing in the flying laboratory
Cube1G is compatible and developed for use on CubeSats, but not limited to them. The terminal will be used for the first time in the SeRANIS (Seamless Radio Access Networks for Internet of Space) mission. SeRANIS will demonstrate over 15 experiments on the small satellite ATHENE-1, with the data being transmitted to the ground at a rate of 1 Gbit/s using Cube1G. The project and mission are managed by the Universität der Bundeswehr in Munich.
SeRANIS - Cube1G
Image: 1/2, Credit:
DLR
Cube1G - Laserterminal mit Grobausrichteeinheit
Cube1G erweitert das CubeISL Terminal um eine Grobausrichteeinheit, die den Laserstrahl unabhängig vom Trägersystem bewegen kann. Somit ist die Kommunikationsstrecke nicht mehr abhängig von der Fluglage des Satelliten.
