Development of a 170-mm hollow corner cube retroreflector for the future lunar laser ranging

Over the past 50 years, lunar laser ranging has made great contributions to the understanding of the Earth–Moon system and the tests of general relativity. However, because of the lunar libration, the Apollo and Lunokhod corner-cube retroreflector（CCR） arrays placed on the Moon currently limit the ranging precision to a few centimeters for a single photon received. Therefore, it is necessary to deploy a new retroreflector with a single and large aperture to improve the ranging precision by at least one order of magnitude. Here we present a hollow retroreflector with a 170-mm aperture fabricated using hydroxide-catalysis bonding technology. The precisions of the two dihedral angles are achieved by the mirror processing with a sub-arc-second precision perpendicularity, and the remaining one is adjusted utilizing an auxiliary optical configuration including two autocollimators. The achieved precisions of the three dihedral angles are 0.10 arcsecond,0.30 arc-second, and 0.24 arc-second, indicating the 68.5% return signal intensity of ideal Apollo 11/14 based on the far field diffraction pattern simulation. We anticipate that this hollow CCR can be applied in the new generation of lunar laser ranging.

The use of laser ranging to measure space debris

Space debris is a major problem for all the nations that are currently active in space. Adopting high-precision measuring techniques will help produce a reliable and accurate catalog for space debris and collision avoidance. Laser ranging is a kind of real-time measuring technology with high precision for space debris observation. The first space-debris laser-ranging experiment in China was performed at the Shanghai Observatory in July 2008 with a ranging precision of about 60-80 cm. The experi- mental results showed that the return signals from the targets with a range of 900 km were quite strong, with a power of 40W （2J at 20 Hz） using a 10ns pulse width laser at 532 nm wavelength. The performance of the preliminary laser ranging system and the observed results in 2008 and 2010 are also introduced.

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.

Influence of high overload on the collimating lenses of laser ranging systems

Collimating lenses are an important component of laser ranging systems,and high overload environments severely affect the beam shaping effect of such lenses.This study proposes a buffer isolation method on the basis of impact stress wave attenuation theory for collimating lens spacers,ANSYS finite element software was applied to simulate the high load dynamics of collimating lenses,and the buffer isolation performance of different materials and composite structures was compared and analysed.Optical simulation analysis of the collimating lenses under different buffer conditions was performed using ZEMAX software to study the mechanism by which a high overload affects the collimating lenses.High overload and optical shaping experiments based on theoretical analysis were further conducted.Results showed the superiority of butadiene rubber to polytetrafluoroethylene after application of 70000 g impact acceleration.The combination-gasket method was superior to the single-gasket method,and the sandwich combination-gasket method was superior to the double-layer combination-gasket method.

Effect of different inter-satellite range on measurement precision of Earth’s gravitational field from GRACE

The precision of Earth＇s gravitational field from GRACE up to degree and order 120 was studied for different inter-satellite ranges using the improved energy conservation principle. Our simulated result shows that： For long wavelength （L≤20） at degree 20, the cumulative geoid-height error gradually decreased with increasing range, from 0. 052 cm for 110 km to 1. 156 times and 1. 209 times as large for 220 km and 330 kin, respectively. For medium-wavelength （ 100 ≤ L ≤ 120） at degree 120, the cumulative geoid-height error de- creased from 13. 052 cm for 110 km, to 1. 327 times and 1. 970 times as large for the ranges of 220 km and 330 km, respectively; By adopting an optimal range of 220 ± 50 km, we can suppress considerably the loss of precision in the measurement of the Earth＇ s long-wavelength and medium-wavelength gravitational field.

Design and Research of Active Heave Compensation System Based on Laser Ranging Sensor

Marine resource exploitation and marine cargo transportation were increasingly frequent. Due to the impact of the marine environment, ships or platforms were affected. In this paper, a servo electric cylinder was used as a wave compensation actuator to design a wave compensation system. The laser sensor was used to measure the displacement in the direction of the heave platform, and the obtained displacement was applied to the wave compensation in the heave direction to verify the feasibility of the compensation system.

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.

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.

A Laser Ranging System Using Chaotic Light

A novel laser ranging system using chaotic laser as probe light source is designed and presented.The system is made up of five components:chaotic light source,transmitter,receiver,data acquisition unit and data processing unit.Chaotic light is generated by an 808 nm,500 mW,single-mode laser diode with optical feedback cavity.Single target detection and multi-target detection are experimentally realized by correlating the chaotic reference light and the reflected or backscattered probe light.The performances,including the resolution of 18 cm within at least 130 m range and the sensitivity of-20 dB,are achieved and analyzed.

Measurement of Refractive Index Ranging from 1.42847 to 2.48272 at 1064 nm Using a Quasi-Common-Path Laser Feedback System

Wavelength 1064 nm is one of the most widely used laser wavelengths in industries and science. The high-precision measurement of the refractive index of optical materials at 1064 nm is significant for improving the optical design. We study the direct measurement of refractive index at 1064nm of lasers, including cMcium fluoride （CaF2）, fused silica and zinc selenide （ZnSe）, whose refractive indices cover a large range from 1.42847 to 2.48272. The measurement system is built based on the quasi-common-path Nd：YAG laser feedback interferometry. The thickness can be measured simultaneously with the refractive index. The results demonstrate that the system has absolute uncertainties of ~10-5 and ~10-4 mm in refractive index and thickness measurement, respectively.

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.

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.

Multi-target ranging using an optical reservoir computing approach in the laterally coupled semiconductor lasers with self-feedback

We utilize three parallel reservoir computers using semiconductor lasers with optical feedback and light injection to model radar probe signals with delays.Three radar probe signals are generated by driving lasers constructed by a threeelement laser array with self-feedback.The response lasers are implemented also by a three-element lase array with both delay-time feedback and optical injection,which are utilized as nonlinear nodes to realize the reservoirs.We show that each delayed radar probe signal can be predicted well and to synchronize with its corresponding trained reservoir,even when parameter mismatches exist between the response laser array and the driving laser array.Based on this,the three synchronous probe signals are utilized for ranging to three targets,respectively,using Hilbert transform.It is demonstrated that the relative errors for ranging can be very small and less than 0.6%.Our findings show that optical reservoir computing provides an effective way for applications of target ranging.

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.

Studies of Tectonic Motion from Helwan-Satellite Laser Ranging Station

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a proven space geodetic technique with significant potential for important contributions to scientific studies of tectonic motion. Currently, SLR is the most accurate available technique to determine the geocentric position with a reported precision in the order of few millimeters. Data gathered through SLR together with “Short Arc” mathematical algorithm became a highly precise tool to detect, monitor and calculate recent crustal movements through repeated measurements of the baselines between some stations on different tectonic plates. In this paper, the Short Arc mathematical model introduced in a previous paper was used to calculate the length of the baseline between Helwan-SLR station and other four fixed SLR stations, placed on different plates. Application of this model with the data gathered through a 4 year time interval gave repeatable results with very high accuracy (in the order of 4 cm).

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.

RESEARCH ON LASER RANGE SCANNING AND ITS APPLICATION

In this paper the development of the technology of the laser scanning is summarized.The principles of laser range scanning are introduced.Based on the laser scanning technology and methods,which are investigated by the authors to survey deposit volume,a surveying system is developed and a practical application is performed.It is shown that the laser_scanning technology has obvious advantages such as measurement precision,automation and visualization of observed data in comparison with the traditional methods.As a result,labor intensity is relieved obviously and work efficiency is promoted.

Determination of global geodetic parameters using satellite laser ranging to Galileo,GLONASS,and BeiDou satellites

The new Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS)satellites,including GLONASS,Galileo,and BeiDou system,are equipped with Laser Retroreflector Arrays(LRA)to support Satellite Laser Ranging(SLR)tracking,which contributes to the estimation of global geodetic parameters.In this study,we estimate the global geodetic parameters using the SLR observations to GNSS satellites and also investigate the effects of different data processing strategies on the estimated Earth Rotation Parameters(ERP),geocenter motion,and terrestrial scale.The results indicate that setting range bias parameters for each satellite-station pair can effectively account for the satellite-specific biases induced by LRAs,leading to smaller Root Mean Square Errors(RMSE)of the post-fit SLR residuals.Furthermore,estimating the range biases for each satellite-station pair improves the accuracy of the estimated station coordinates and ERP.We also examine the impact of different arc lengths on the estimates of ERP,geocenter motion,and terrestrial scale.The results show that extending arc length can significantly reduce the formal error of ERP.The 7-day strategy produces the smallest RMSEs of 473 microarcseconds and 495 microarcseconds for the estimated X-and Y-component of pole coordinates,and 52 microseconds for length-of-day,respectively.However,the estimated geocenter motion is less affected by the arc length,even the shortest 1-day arc strategy can capture the seasonal variations of geocenter motion in Z component.For scale estimation,extending the arc length notably improves the accuracy of the estimated station coordinates and scale,but this advantage becomes less noticeable in longer arcs.The 7-day solution also obtains the closet scale results compared to ITRF2014,with the RMSE of 2.10×10^(–9).

Dual transponder ranging performance in the presence of oscillator phase noise

A dual transponder carrier ranging method can be used to measure inter-satellite distance with high precision by combining the reference and the to-and-fro measurements. Based on the differential techniques, the oscillator phase noise, which is the main error source for microwave ranging systems, can be significantly attenuated. Further, since the range measurements are derived on the same satellite, the dual transponder ranging system does not need a time tagging system to synchronize the two satellites. In view of the lack of oscillator noise analysis on the dual transponder ranging model, a comprehensive analysis of oscillator noise effects on ranging accuracy is provided. First, the dual transponder ranging system is described with emphasis on the detailed analysis of oscillator noise on measurement precision. Then, a high-fidelity numerical simulation approach based on the power spectrum density of an actual ultra-stable oscillator is carried out in both frequency domain and time domain to support the presented theoretical analysis. The simulation results under different conditions are consistent with the proposed concepts, which makes the results reliable. Besides, the results demonstrate that a high level of accuracy can be achieved by using this oscillator noise cancelation-oriented ranging method.

Adaptive frame length algorithm for inter-satellite links

In view of the low ranging efficiency of the conventional fixed frame-length algorithm in the inter-satellite link,an adaptive frame-length algorithm is proposed. The frame length is adjusted adaptively according to the results of ranging and velocity measuring to improve ranging efficiency. Buffers which enable the frame length to be selected discretely and adaptively are introduced to avoid frequent hopping of the frame-length.Frame length marker is created to automatically identify the frame-length for frame synchronization procedures in receivers. The feasibility and the validity of the proposed algorithm to improve the efficiency of ranging are verified through both theoretic analysis and simulation,and the efficiency improves up to 88% when there are five buffers. This improvement can be further enhanced by increasing the number of buffers. Proper allocation of inter-satellite buffers is required to make a balance between the ranging efficiency and the system complexity.