Design and Development of a Baseline Deep Space Optical PPM Transceiver

One of the NASA technology development program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory aims to increase the information return capability while reducing the size of the spacecraft via laser communications. The deep space optical transceiver developed under this program employs puke position modulation (PPM) for both uplink and downlink transmissions. An integral part of the transceiver is the development of signal acquisition and tracking subsystem. This paper describes the baseline design of the electronic assembly within the transceiver and modifications that are necessary for deep space communications. A two phase breadboard activity will be described to reduce technological risks associated with the development.