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Magnetic Fast Steering Mirror For High Power Feeder Links Applications
25 November 2024
To cope with performances of Fine Pointing, and Fast Steering mirror requirements for Space Optical Communication, CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (CTEC) is developing magnetic Fast Steering Mirrorâs (M-FSM) family, based on proprietary MICAâą flexure bearing magnetic actuators mechanism (Moving Iron Controllable Actuator), with embedded eddy current sensors (ECS).
FSM design expected for Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) in large-scale New Space constellations is highly driven by mandatory cost-efficiency for high quantities recurrent production, while FSM design expected for Feeder-Link communication is driven instead by high power Laser requirements together with high level of redundancy.
In this publication CTEC is presenting both the M-FSM45 and M-FSM45-HPL designs, and test results, respectively for inter-satellites and feeder link optical communications.
Magnetic Fast Steering Mirror for Inter-satellites and Feeder Link Optical Communication
14 June 2024
In order to cope with performances of Fine Pointing, and Fast Steering mirror requirements for Space Optical Communi-cation, CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (CTEC) is developing magnetic Fast Steering Mirrorâs (M-FSM) family, based on proprietary MICAâą flexure bearing magnetic actuators mechanism (Moving Iron Controllable Actuator), with embedded eddy current sensors (ECS).
FSM design expected for Optical Inter-Satellite Link (OISL) in large-scale New Space constellations, is highly driven by mandatory cost-efficiency for high quantities recurrent production, while FSM design expected for Feeder-Link commu-nication is driven instead by high power Laser requirements together with high level of redundancy.
In this publication CTEC is presenting both the M-FSM45 and M-FSM-HPL designs, and test results, respectively for inter-satellites and feeder link optical communications.
Miniature Piezo Fast Steering Mirror for Optical Communication in NanoSats and CubeSats
14 June 2024
Access to data has become vital and strategical for individuals and nations, Earth planet preservation and monitoring, and mobility applications. In this context, the number of satellite constellations projects is growing drastically worldwide and is a next generation challenge of the New Space cost efficient industry.
To replace radio frequencies (RF) communications, space optical communication will be the new trend, addressing both very high speed and as secured encrypted communication improvements.
Fast Steering Mirrors (FSM) are a key component used in optical communication, and for a large field of functions such as Point Ahead Mechanisms (PAM), Raster Scanning, Beam Steering Mirrors (BSM), Fine Pointing Mechanisms (FPM) and Line of Sight stabilization (LOS).
The following paper presents test results of CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES piezoelectric mini-FSM and associated CCBu20 driving electronics.
New range of light driven actuation devices
12 October 2023
The recent progresses made in the manufacturing of new plasmonic photomobile films are offering innovative solutions for light induced motion actuators and devices. Indeed, such films can be assimilated as transducers thanks to their ability to convert light into displacement with strokes up to several millimeters. By adjusting the incident light parameters (wavelength, exposure timeâŠ) the photomobile films actuation can be controlled to answer many applications requesting high displacements and low forces. In these regards, the behaviour of the photomobile films were characterized prior to their integration in more complex devices. Then, several proof-of-concepts of these devices were manufactured to try to bring new functionalities to the market such as light driven optical switch, optical micro-valve, and deflector:
– The optical switch features interesting properties in term of electrical insulation by eliminating the dark currents responsible for noise in image sensors. It also exploits the large stroke of the photomobile films to achieve the standard electrical insulation distance versus emitter voltage.
– Light driven micro-valves/micro-pumps are suitable for delivering a small quantity of fluids with high precision for example in medical devices. Using this technology, a fluid circuit can be opened and closed when light is switched from on to off (or inversely) without embedded electric power.
– Optical deflectors are used widely in optical pointing applications where fast responses and/or high precisions are critical. An appropriate understanding of the photomobile films behaviour enables to control the direction of the beam deflection within large angular ranges.
Optimized high-efficiency MICA actuators for space compressors
14 June 2024
Moving Iron Controllable Actuators MICAâą are magnetic linear actuators from CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (CTEC) that find interests in applications requiring high-force density and low heating. Because of these attractive performances, some space applications such as ZBO Gas compressors and Pulse Tube Cryocooler are considering their use in operational missions. However, this last application requires the demonstration of additional features, notably a high efficiency, a long lifetime and a good force homogeneity to minimize the generation of exported micro-vibrations. To fulfil these additional features, CTEC has developed an optimised MICA following the specifications of the Pulse Tube Cryocooler (PTC) of AIR LIQUIDE. The paper will present the performance progresses obtained on this customized MICA, from modelling prediction to lab tests of Engineering Models.
P-FSM and M-FSM piezoelectric and magnetic fast steering mirrors
5 September 2023
To meet needs in air, space, defence & other embedded or demanding applications CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (CTEC) bas developed for more than 20 years Fast Steering Mirrors (FSM). Typical applications are for example Lidar, free space optical communication (FSO) and Laser interferometry. As the specÂifications met in these applications can vary, CTEC bas designed and patented different actuation technologies:
– FSM based on Amplified Piezo Actuators APAÂź, as for PHARAO, ATLID, PSYCHE missions, and for future FSO space constellations as well as other large FSM for space & instrumentation as ESO ELT.
– FSM based on Magnetic Actuation, as being developed for FSO and CO-OP optical communication toward Geosat.
– FSM based on Stepping Piezo Actuators, as for IASI-NG for METOP-SG, as well as other piezomotor-based FSM.
The presentation describes the working principle, design and performance of these different actuation concepts.
