Photonic Integration and Integrated Microwave Photonic Technologies for Satellite Applications

Inter-satellite communication links and laser communication terminals face challenges that could be solved with new photonics technologies i.e., photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and integrated microwave photonics. In general, these challenges are the need for higher data-rate, and reduced Size, Weight and Power Consumption (SWaP). In this paper we present the potential of integrated microwave photonics for intra-satellite communication links and photonic integration for laser communication terminals by demonstrating latest progress of Antwerp Space Q/V-band Electro-Photonic Frequency Convertor (EPFCV2) and Photonic Lantern Reciever (PLR).