Near-Noiseless Phase-Sensitive Pre-amplifier for Ultra-high Receiver Sensitivity in 10 Gbps and Above Optical Near-Earth/Near-Lunar Satellite Networks

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

The objective of this project is to develop an in the lab demonstration of a practical ultra-low noise phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA) for space lasercom applications.

Benefits

Improvement of Noise Figure by replacing a conventional (phase-insensitive) amplifier by a near-noiseless phase-sensitive amplifier would enable increase of the transmission range for the same transmitter and receiver telescope apertures, or a factor of reduction for transmitter telescope aperture for the same transition range. This will dramatically reduce the SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) of the system.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Optical Components
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2019-10-01
End date	2020-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Aprille J Ericsson — aprille.j.ericsson@nasa.gov
Lavida D Cooper — lavida.d.cooper@nasa.gov
Hua Jiao — hua.jiao@nasa.gov
Vladimir Grigoryan — vladimir.grigoryan@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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