Student Electrical, Aerospace, Optical, Systems Engineering or similar (f/m/x) - Miniaturization of Laser Communication terminal for CubeSats

Location

Weßling | Germany

Job description

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Course paper / final thesis

Miniaturization of Laser Communication terminal for CubeSats

OSIRIS Terminal

Starting date

1 June 2024

Duration of contract

6 months

Remuneration

up to the German TVöD 5

Type of employment

Full-time (part-time possible)

Free Space Optical (FSO) Communication overcomes the capabilities and challenges of classical Radio-Frequency channels. Base for the high data rates are very narrow beam divergences. This results in a very accurate pointing of the transmission laser.  The Pointing Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) concept uses a beacon sent from the ground station for orientation. Therefore, high accurate sensors in the space Laser Communication Terminal (LCT) are required. 

The goal of next generation of LCTs is to increase the pointing accuracy and with that the capabilities of the terminals. The approach is to use only Commercial Of The Shelf (COTS) components and re-use or adapt subsystems of previous projects. The evaluated sensors must be compatible to the beacon systems used in the OSIRIS program (Optical Space Infrared Downlink System). After a research of compatible sensors, the selected devices must be characterized in an optical laboratory setup to proof if they fulfil the requirements for future space mission. Afterwards first prototypes of a new generation of LCTs can be built and tested.  

Thesis outline:

• interdisciplinary development and verification tasks
• analyze the requirements of the sensors in resolution and sensitivity
• evaluate matching positioning sensors for Near Infrared (NIR) light
• evaluate integration concept for miniaturization
• design interface concept to LCT and/or ADCS
• build up a test environment to electrically and optically characterize the sensor
• write measurement routines to acquire and analyze the data
• verify the optical system in a laboratory test equipment
• build up a first prototype including mechanical, optical and electrical subsystems
• characterize the payloads parameters in a laboratory environment
• verify the payload in an end-to-end test campaign

• profound experience with hardware projects at university, during work or as part of a hobby
• experience in PCB design
• interest in optical communications
• basic knowledge in software engineering / programming
• basic knowledge in CAD design
• ability to work independently
• basic knowledge of attitude determination and control systems (ADCS)
• Experience with ZEMAX would be beneficial
• very good technical English or German required

Look forward to a fulfilling job with an employer who appreciates your commitment and supports your personal and professional development. Our unique infrastructure offers you a working environment in which you have unparalleled scope to develop your creative ideas and accomplish your professional objectives. Our human resources policy places great value on a healthy family and work-life-balance as well as equal opportunities for persons of all genders (f/m/x). Individuals with disabilities will be given preferential consideration in the event their qualifications are equivalent to those of other candidates.

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