Focal plane array detector design in the presence of vibration for intersatellite optical communications

A single focal plane array (FPA) detector to operate both for all beacon acquisition, beacon tracking, and pointing functions simplifies the pointing acquisition tracking (PAT) systems. CMOS photodetector is a good FPA candidate by feature of window adaptive. For intersatellite optical links, it is critical to design an appropriate size of fine tracking subwindow (FTSW) especially in the presence satellite vibration. An optimum design of FTSW could ensure the received beacon jitter with the desired exceeding error, as well as maximize the frame rate of FPA. In this paper, a stochastic model of the beacon spot jitter is given considering satellite vibration induced angle of arrival fluctuation. And then the probability density function of the distance moved by beacon spot in the frame period has been derived. Moreover the optimum tracking window design is proposed taking consideration of the combined influences of detector frame rate and beacon spot jitter.