Key technologies implementation of high-repetition-rate satellite laser ranging

Satellite laser ranging （SLR） is one of the major space geodetic instruments, which has various applications in earth science. In this paper, we introduce several issues regarding the key technology implementation of high-repetition-rate SLR system. Compared with traditional technology, using kHz and 8ps pulse width laser component, the data quantity and quality of high-repetition-rate satellite laser ranging （SLR） can be significantly improved. The characteristics of high-repetition-rate laser ranging and the key technologies are presented, including the event timer with the precision of picosecond, the generation of range gate signal, and so on. All of them are based on the Field Programmable Gate Arrays （FPGA） and tested on China mobile SLR system-TROS1000. Finally, the observations of satellite Beacon-C are given.

A correction method of encoder bias in satellite laser ranging system

In a satellite laser ranging telescope system, well-aligned encoders of the elevation and azimuth axes are essential for tracking objects. However, it is very difficult and time-consuming to correct the bias between the absolute-position indices of the encoders and the astronomical coordinates, especially in the absence of a finder scope for our system. To solve this problem, a method is presented based on the phenomenon that all stars move anti-clockwise around Polaris in the northern hemisphere. Tests of the proposed adjustment procedure in a satellite laser ranging （SLR）system demonstrated the effectiveness and the time saved by using the approach, which greatly facilitates the optimization of a trackin~ svstem.

Progress of the satellite laser ranging system TROS1000

The mobile satellite laser ranging system TROS1000, successfully developed in 2010, achieves a high repetition rate and enables daytime laser ranging. Its measurement range has reached up to 36000 km with an accuracy as precise as 1 cm. Using recent observations in Wuhan, Jiufeng, Xianning, and Rongcheng, Shandong, we introduce the progress made using this mobile observation system.

Overview of Satellite Laser Ranging for BeiDou Navigation Satellite System

Satellite laser ranging(SLR)is an unambiguous measurement technique and generates high accuracy satellite orbit data.All satellites in the BeiDou navigation satellite system(BDS)carried laser retro-reflector arrays(LRAs),so they can be tracked by ground SLR stations in order to provide the accurate observation data.The Shanghai astronomical observatory(SHAO)designed the LRAs,and also developed the dedicated SLR systems using a 1 m-aperture telescope and a transportable cabin-based SLR system with a telescopes of 60 cm aperture.These enable BDS satellite ranging during daytime and nighttime with centimeter-level precision,allowing highly accurate estimations of satellite orbits.Moreover,some of the BDS satellites are also equipped with laser time transfer(LTT)payloads,which were developed by the SHAO and China Academy of Space Technology(CAST),providing a highly accurate time comparison between the satellites and ground clocks.This paper describes the dedicated SLR system and the design of the LRAs for BDS satellites,as well as global SLR measurements.The SLR tracking data is used for evaluating the orbit accuracy of BDS satellites and broadcast ephemeris,with an accuracy of less than 1 m.The LTT measurements to BDS satellites for a single shot have a precision of approximately 300 picoseconds,with a time stability of 20 picoseconds in 500 s.

Influence of Range Gate Width on Detection Probability and Ranging Accuracy of Single Photon Laser Altimetry Satellite

The influence of the single photon laser altimeter range-gate width on the detection probability and ranging accuracy is discussed and analyzed,according to the LiDAR equation,single photon detection equation and the Monte Carlo method to simulate the experiment.The simulated results show that the probability of detection is not affected by the range gate,while the probability of false alarm is relative to the gate width.When the gate width is 100 ns,the ranging accuracy can accord with the requirements of satellite laser altimeter.But when the range gate width exceeds 400 ns,ranging accuracy will decline sharply.The noise ratio will be more as long as the range gate to get larger,so the refined filtering algorithm during the data processing is important to extract the useful photons effectively.In order to ensure repeated observation of the same point for 25 times,we deduce the quantitative relation between the footprint size,footprint,and frequency repetition according to the parameters of ICESat-2.The related conclusions can provide some references for the design and the development of the domestic single photon laser altimetry satellite.

Laser back scatter: Limitation to higher repetition rate [kHz] Satellite Laser Ranging system

Satellite laser ranging(SLR)with higher repetition rate is the recent trend for its various advantages.Laser backscatter(coincidence between recently transmitted pulses and received pulses near the detector)is found to be a constraint for the repetition rates higher than 20 kHz,due to,overlapping with photons returning from a satellite with the present constellation of most of the SLR systems.Such an overlap occurs at every 75 km satellite distance change at 2 kHz repetition rate,and remains for about 7.5 km;for a 20 kHz system however,it will occur after every 7.5 km and remains for 7.5 km,resulting in constant backscatter overlap e leaving no chance to avoid it.The resulting noise is 5 times more than before causing a serious problem in detection and lowers the signal to noise ratio of the overall SLR system.However,decreasing energy per shot at higher repetition rates e assuming a constant power laser e the resulting backscatter may decrease fractionally.

Pre-process algorithm for satellite laser ranging data based on curve recognition from points cloud

The satellite laser ranging （SLR） data quality from the COMPASS was analyzed, and the difference between curve recognition in computer vision and pre-process of SLR data finally proposed a new algorithm for SLR was discussed data based on curve recognition from points cloud is proposed. The results obtained by the new algorithm are 85 % （or even higher） consistent with that of the screen displaying method, furthermore, the new method can process SLR data automatically, which makes it possible to be used in the development of the COMPASS navigation system.

The progress of laser ranging technology at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory

As an important station of International Laser Ranging Service(ILRS),Shanghai Astronomical Observatory(SHAO)has upgraded Satellite Laser Ranging(SLR)system with high repetition rate and achieved some technological progress,There are a lot of improvements for overall system performance,such as annual observation passes,measurement precision and quality of observation data.SLR technology with repetition rate of 10 kHz is accomplished firstly in China,and space debris laser ranging technology with200 Hz laser is promoted and proved to be more detective for weak echo,which lead to successful measurement for 40,000 km satellites and space debris within 3000 km.At the same time,SLR based on multi-telescopes and 1064 nm wavelength are planned to make a breakthrough of detection capabilities,and also to expand its application fields.These progresses will be introduced in this paper in detail.

Evaluation of CHAMP Satellite Orbit with SLR Measurements

The technique of Evaluating CHAMP satellite orbit with SLR measurements is presented. As an independent evaluation of the orbit solution, SLR data observed from January 1 to 16, 2002 are processed to compute the residuals after fixing the GFZ’s post science orbits solutions. The SLR residuals are computed as the differences of the SLR measurements minus the corresponding distances between the SLR station and the GPS-derived orbit positions. On the basis of the SLR residuals analysis, it is found that the accuracy of GFZ’s post science orbits is better than 10 cm and that there is no systematic error in GFZ’s post science orbits.

Design and analysis of the Macao Science Satellite-1's laser retro-reflector array

The origin and spatial-temporal variation of the Earth’s magnetic field(EMF)is one of the important scientific problems that has long been unsolved.The Macao Science Satellite-1(MSS-1)under construction is China’s first high-precision EMF measurement satellite.To satisfy the highly precise requirements of the MSS-1 orbit measurement,a light,high-precision,four-prism laser retroreflector array was designed.It weighs approximately 285 g,its effective reflection area is greater than 1.77 cm^(2),and its size is 100×100×41 mm.The laser retro-reflector array has excellent performance,and it can achieve a ranging precision at the subcentimeter level for satellite laser ranging.It will be developed and installed on the MSS-1 as a power-free load for high-precision orbit measurement and accurate orbit calibration.The MSS-1 is planned to be brought into the International Laser Ranging Service observations.More than 31satellite laser ranging stations in the International Laser Ranging Service around the world will be able to measure the MSS-1 with long arcs,which will support the scientific mission of high-precision EMF exploration.

SLR资料精密测定GLONASS卫星轨道

将SLR资料计算的轨道与CODE轨道进行了比较 ,并将比较结果转换到RTN坐标系中。通过比较分析发现 ,两种轨道差值在轨道径向、法向和沿轨方向的精度分别优于 1 0cm、5 0cm和 45cm ;SLR和微波资料确定的GLONASS卫星轨道在径向存在系统误差 。

利用SLR检核CHAMP卫星轨道

初步研究了利用SLR检核CHAMP卫星轨道的方法。采用 2 0 0 2年 1月 1日到 16日的SLR观测数据对GFZ提供的事后科学轨道进行了检核实验 ,实验结果表明 ,GFZ事后科学轨道没有明显的系统偏差 ,其精度优于 10cm。

利用SLR和伪距资料确定导航卫星钟差

提出了综合利用SLR和GPS伪距资料测定导航卫星钟差的方法,采用2002年10月的SLR和伪距实测数据计算了GPS35卫星的钟差,并对GPS35卫星的钟差进行了预报,为了验证计算结果的精度,将本文计算的卫星钟差与IGS精密钟差进行了比较。通过比较分析发现:综合利用SLR和伪距资料测定的导航卫星钟差精度优于3ns,测定的导航卫星钟差与实际卫星钟差不存在系统差;导航卫星钟差的预报精度与计算卫星钟速的时间跨度有关;可以分离卫星坐标和卫星钟差之间的相互影响,便于对卫星钟差的研究。

利用SLR与伪距资料综合定轨

以GPS伪距为观测量对GPS35卫星进行定轨 ,然后将SLR与GPS伪距资料综合起来进行定轨 。

我国流动SLR首次取得观测成果

介绍了流动 SL R系统 TROS建成后在北京、乌鲁木齐、拉萨 3个站的观测情况。这是流动卫星激光测距系统在我国首次正式运行 ,开创了 SL R流动观测的先例 ,实现了我国 SL R领域多年来的愿望。对乌鲁木齐和世界屋脊城市拉萨观测的实现有其重要意义 ,引起国内外广泛关注。对 TROS的建站和观测等问题进行了讨论 。

SLR应用展望——伽利略计划和非合作目标跟踪

随着SLR精度的提高和数据量的增大,SLR现已广泛应用于大地测量和相关科学中。论述了SLR在非合作目标的跟踪等新领域中的应用及SLR在伽利略计划中的作用,并展望了SLR技术的发展方向。

由SLR观测的地心周期性运动(1993-2006年)(英文)

地球质心(CM)是整个地球的质量中心,地心运动是由地球系统的质量重新分布激励的,特别是流体圈层。利用SLR对LAGEOS1/2卫星的距离观测,解算1993—2006年期间的地心运动时间序列,然后分别利用小波变换和最小二乘法分析该序列,发现地心运动存在长期和周期性变化。地心的长期运动表明地壳形状在变化。季节性变化是地心运动的主项,主要是由地球流体圈层的质量分布造成的,如海洋、大气和陆地水等。地心运动还存在其他周期性和准周期性变化。地心运动存在2～5年的长周期变化。许多周期都存在渐变,这表明整个地球系统质量和环境存在不规则的变化。

利用SLR和GPS双频相位平滑伪距资料测定导航卫星钟差

采用2002年10月的SLR和伪距实测数据计算GPS 35卫星的钟差,为了验证计算结果的精度,将本文计算的卫星钟差与IGS精密钟差进行了比较。结果表明,采用经过载波相位平滑伪距资料,可以明显提高综合利用SLR和伪距资料直接测定导航卫星的精度;综合利用SLR和GPS双频相位平滑伪距资料测定导航卫星钟差精度优于0.3 ns(1σ),测定的导航卫星钟差与实际钟差不存在系统差。

阿根廷圣胡安激光测距系统的SLR数据质量分析

利用自行研制的激光定轨软件CASMORD分析阿根廷圣胡安激光测距系统的SLR数据质量。结果表明,阿根廷圣胡安激光测距系统性能良好,具有较小的系统偏差(距离偏差和时间偏差),系统偏差稳定,随时间的变化较小,有效观测圈数和数据观测量处于全球台站前列;经系统偏差修正后,该系统达到了亚厘米级观测水平,具有较高的观测精度,可以为卫星的精密定轨提供在我国本土无法观测的轨道弧段的资料,为我国科学研究和国家的特殊需要提供必须的宝贵资料。

用Lageos卫星SLR资料解算地球定向参数及监测地球质心的运动

利用Lageos卫星(1993～2002期间)全球激光测距资料精确测定地球定向参数及地心的变化,并将EOP(SHA)序列的结果与同期的EOP(IERS)C04进行比较,符合程度:极移XP—0.39mas,YP—0.41mas,日长Dr在0.03ms左右。地心在X,Y方向大约有1cm左右的变化,在Z方向有3～4cm左右的变化。