Satellite Communication using Integrated Silicon Photonics

Currently lead by our work on the Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node (Space-BACN) program, this area aims to revolutionize the way space-based communications work by developing low-cost, high-speed reconfigurable optical datalinks to connect various low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.

Current Projects:

  • Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node (Space-BACN):

    • Our role in the Space-BACN program is the creation of a reconfigurable transceiver that will act as a bridge for communication between different LEO satellite constellations that each operate on their own unique data protocols. This photonic integrated circuit (PIC) transceiver will be able to support multiple intensity and phase modulation formats, including OOK, BPSK, and DP-QPSK, from 1 – 25 GBaud, in order to support inter-constellation link-up. 
Space-BACN program logo