Photonic Systems for next generation satellites
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
Space technologies, data and services have become indispensable in our everyday lives. Communications satellites (COMSATs), alongside optical fibre, are the main means of global data transmission. In fact, for a vast number of users, such as marine and airways fleets, autonomous cars, remotely located aid camps, and hospitals and schools in less developed areas, satellite communication is the only way to broadcast, navigate or access broadband services. Earth observation satellites provide immediate information in the event of natural disasters, and allow better coordination of emergency and rescue teams. Satellite-based technologies help increase the efficiency of fisheries and agriculture, and play an important role in transport by controlling air and maritime traffic. Both COMSAT and surveying services are critically dependent on the communication links between satellites in orbit and ground control stations. Increasing data capacity of these links and allowing frequency flexibility, which cannot be easily provided by established RF solutions, is long overdue. It is clear that industry needs a step change in technology.
Against this backdrop, the project focuses on using key advances in photonic integrated solutions to revolutionise satellite payloads (modules). An integrated photonics approach allows for several optoelectronic functionalities (lasers, photodiodes, etc.) to be monolithically integrated on a single chip. Such integration improves robustness, reduces losses between individual devices and, most importantly, offers ease of scalability, low mass and small footprint, creating great prospects to reduce the cost of satellites.
Through close collaboration with academic and industrial partners, this project will develop the world's first integrated, broadly tuneable, photonic-based Frequency Generation Unit (FGU) which can be the heart of satellite communication payloads. The advantage of a photonic FGU over the conventional RF-based solution comes from the great frequency agility of the photonic system, which will allow for the FGU to be included both in communication and earth observation satellites. Firstly, the FGU will form part of innovative communication payloads in communication satellites (transponders), allowing for high-throughput data links from satellites to ground stations and, in the future, between satellites. Furthermore, the FGU will also be deployed in earth observation satellites, allowing for reference-signal distribution inside the satellite using a flexible, lightweight optical fibre rather than a conventional coaxial cable. The use of a photonic FGU would dramatically reduce the weight of a satellite, eliminating the need for tens to hundreds of kilograms of coaxial cables (depending on satellite type), and make a significant monetary saving, given the cost of launching into orbit of $25,000/kg. Secondly, a novel architecture for a complete communications payload based almost entirely on photonics is going to be investigated. Replacing conventional RF components with integrated photonic sub-systems will result in an unprecedented mass and volume reduction, which, in turn, will lead to a reduction in the cost of in-orbit-delivered data capacity.
Against this backdrop, the project focuses on using key advances in photonic integrated solutions to revolutionise satellite payloads (modules). An integrated photonics approach allows for several optoelectronic functionalities (lasers, photodiodes, etc.) to be monolithically integrated on a single chip. Such integration improves robustness, reduces losses between individual devices and, most importantly, offers ease of scalability, low mass and small footprint, creating great prospects to reduce the cost of satellites.
Through close collaboration with academic and industrial partners, this project will develop the world's first integrated, broadly tuneable, photonic-based Frequency Generation Unit (FGU) which can be the heart of satellite communication payloads. The advantage of a photonic FGU over the conventional RF-based solution comes from the great frequency agility of the photonic system, which will allow for the FGU to be included both in communication and earth observation satellites. Firstly, the FGU will form part of innovative communication payloads in communication satellites (transponders), allowing for high-throughput data links from satellites to ground stations and, in the future, between satellites. Furthermore, the FGU will also be deployed in earth observation satellites, allowing for reference-signal distribution inside the satellite using a flexible, lightweight optical fibre rather than a conventional coaxial cable. The use of a photonic FGU would dramatically reduce the weight of a satellite, eliminating the need for tens to hundreds of kilograms of coaxial cables (depending on satellite type), and make a significant monetary saving, given the cost of launching into orbit of $25,000/kg. Secondly, a novel architecture for a complete communications payload based almost entirely on photonics is going to be investigated. Replacing conventional RF components with integrated photonic sub-systems will result in an unprecedented mass and volume reduction, which, in turn, will lead to a reduction in the cost of in-orbit-delivered data capacity.
Planned Impact
Satellite technologies are an integral part of our everyday life. We all rely on communication satellites to obtain live streams of television, radio and telephone signals. Earth observation satellites provide us with information about our planet's physical, chemical and biological systems, data which is essential for meteorologists, environmentalists and policy-makers. Navigation satellites form the backbone of our emergency, marine, aviation and logistics systems. All these services have a tangible, positive impact on the whole of our society. The satellites enabling these services rely upon the communication modules which this project is aiming to innovate by using integrated photonics in place of conventional RF components. This will lead to an increased capacity and improved performance of next-generation satellites.
There are currently hundreds of communication satellites in operation, providing mobile and fixed (point-to-point-communication) services to billions of people worldwide. The development of most of these satellites has been driven by the commercial sector. The UK space industry is one of the biggest developers and exporters of communication and scientific satellites, and underpins many parts of the British economy, currently contributing over £11.8 billion thereto and directly employing over 35,000 people. The space sector is growing very quickly while remaining particularly dynamic and highly competitive. To maintain the UK's strategic leading position as one of the biggest producers of commercial communication satellites in Europe, innovative solutions such as the proposed photonic-based Frequency Generation Unit must be provided quickly. The novel photonic integrated communications payloads that will be developed through this project will have great potential to expedite the development of next-generation satellites by making them much smaller and, therefore, highly cost-effective. In the longer term, it will result in lowering the cost of satellite-delivered data, allowing for the creation of satellite-enabled networks (clusters of small satellites) that can bring digital opportunities in the most inclusive way to everyone, regardless of their location.
There are currently hundreds of communication satellites in operation, providing mobile and fixed (point-to-point-communication) services to billions of people worldwide. The development of most of these satellites has been driven by the commercial sector. The UK space industry is one of the biggest developers and exporters of communication and scientific satellites, and underpins many parts of the British economy, currently contributing over £11.8 billion thereto and directly employing over 35,000 people. The space sector is growing very quickly while remaining particularly dynamic and highly competitive. To maintain the UK's strategic leading position as one of the biggest producers of commercial communication satellites in Europe, innovative solutions such as the proposed photonic-based Frequency Generation Unit must be provided quickly. The novel photonic integrated communications payloads that will be developed through this project will have great potential to expedite the development of next-generation satellites by making them much smaller and, therefore, highly cost-effective. In the longer term, it will result in lowering the cost of satellite-delivered data, allowing for the creation of satellite-enabled networks (clusters of small satellites) that can bring digital opportunities in the most inclusive way to everyone, regardless of their location.
Organisations
- UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON (Lead Research Organisation)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Fraunhofer Society (Collaboration)
- European Space Agency (Collaboration)
- Airbus Group (Collaboration)
- Oclaro Technology UK (Project Partner)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Project Partner)
- Airbus Defence and Space (Project Partner)
- European Space Agency (International) (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Katarzyna Balakier (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications

Balakier K
(2018)
Optical Phase Lock Loop as High-Quality Tuneable Filter for Optical Frequency Comb Line Selection
in Journal of Lightwave Technology

Balakier K
(2020)
Integrated Photonics for Wireless and Satellite Applications


Gonzales Guerrero L
(2019)
Photonic systems for tunable mm-wave and THz wireless communications

Gonzalez-Guerrero L.
(2019)
Photonic systems for tunable mmwave and THz wireless communications

Katarzyna Balakier
(2018)
Monolithically integrated phase locked semiconductor lasers (invited)

Katarzyna Balakier
(2019)
Introduction to integrated photonics and nanopolarimeters [invited]

Lincoln J
(2020)
Future Horizons for Photonics Research: 2030 and Beyond
Description | Thanks to the close collaboration between academia and industry throughout the project, we were able to establish key requirements for the DC power consumption of the future photonic equipment for satellite applications. Power dissipation is a key factor considered by the space industry, but it is very often omitted in academic research, resulting in lots of research outputs becoming non-implementable in the real-world applications. The outcome of this project is getting the research outcomes to be more likely implemented by industry. |
Exploitation Route | the results will be published. The results has influence future funding and call for proposals |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Electronics |
Description | Photonic solutions inspired by this project are being implemented by industry. (Details are restricted by contractual confidentiality) |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Future of photonics research 2030 and beyond report to All-Party Parliamentary Group in Photonics and Quantum and Photonics Leadership Group (PLG) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://photonicsuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Future-Horizons-for-Photonics-Research_PLG_2020_b... |
Description | I chaired the international chapter on Aerospace - Integrated Photonic Systems Roadmap (IPSR) - International. |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
URL | https://photonicsmanufacturing.org/2020_iprs-i_roadmap_chapters |
Description | Participation in the UK Photonics Innovation Chain at SPIE conference. I was a member in a Panel Discussion on "The UK Innovation Ecosystem Panel" (2021) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | Design and development of power efficient satellite optical links |
Amount | £1 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2419569 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2020 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | Airbus |
Organisation | Airbus Group |
Department | Airbus Defence and Space UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | I have initiated the collaboration. The main impact so far has been Airbus's increased interest in photonics systems, which will include FGU to be developed through this project as well as other photonic components to be purchased for the demonstrator. |
Collaborator Contribution | Attending meetings and providing detailed technical requirements for the system. |
Impact | PhD project proposal |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | European Space Agency (ESA) |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Department | European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with ESA increased the impact of my Fellowship project. The outcome of my research has influenced ESA new call for proposals. |
Collaborator Contribution | ESA assessed and evaluated the research outcomes and confirmed it was beneficial and suitable for further industrial development. ESA provided an expert opinion on my project. |
Impact | This project has been fundamental to the creation of ESA_Lab@UCL Satellite Communication Theme, for which I was assigned the role of a theme leader. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary (photonics, satellite communication) |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | European Space Agency (ESA) |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Department | European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with ESA increased the impact of my Fellowship project. The outcome of my research has influenced ESA new call for proposals. |
Collaborator Contribution | ESA assessed and evaluated the research outcomes and confirmed it was beneficial and suitable for further industrial development. ESA provided an expert opinion on my project. |
Impact | This project has been fundamental to the creation of ESA_Lab@UCL Satellite Communication Theme, for which I was assigned the role of a theme leader. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary (photonics, satellite communication) |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Frauhofer HHI |
Organisation | Fraunhofer Society |
Department | Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Photonic Integrated Circuits design |
Collaborator Contribution | support to Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) design |
Impact | Integrated Circuits are still in fabrication |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | RAL Space |
Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
Department | RAL Space |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | design of PIC packaging |
Collaborator Contribution | contribution to PIC packaging |
Impact | PIC package |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | ESA_Lab@UCL |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The collaboration, called ESA_Lab@UCL, is one of the most comprehensive partnerships to date between the European Space Agency (ESA) and a university. It builds on existing co-operation between the two institutions in regard to UCL's research in areas relating to space applications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |