Demonstrating intra-Spacecraft Optical Wireless Links

In a Spacecraft (SC), huge amount of cabled electrical connections is needed by many different units to exchange digital data. This increases the overall mass, space occupancy, and routing design time. Here, we propose demonstrate an Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) system that can perfectly replace MIL-STD-1553B cables inside SC, providing wireless communication among satellite units, with full backward compatibility pre-existing protocols. We present experimental demonstration in challenging environment populated mockup real where connect four exploit Non Line-of-Sight (NLOS) configuration, i.e. take advantage scattering from walls overcome shadowing effects. OWC technique effectively reduce weight (more than 50%) cost SC data network. The proposed transceivers are based on transparent, fully analog solution made Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) components, features compatible environment. on-field experiment shows this practical for networks future SCs.