Satellite Laser Ranging by SCOPE
Observation of satellites and space debris for high-precision orbit determination.
Multi-Static Space Debris Tracking
Synchronised & simultaneous observation of non-cooperative space targets by multiple SLR systems.
Range Gate Generator
Hardware for real-time command & control of laser firing and detector gating.
Satellite Laser Ranging by SCOPE
Observation of satellites and space debris for high-precision orbit determination.
Multi-Static Space Debris Tracking
Synchronised & simultaneous observation of non-cooperative space targets by multiple SLR systems.
Range Gate Generator
Hardware for real-time command & control of laser firing and detector gating.
SATELLITE LASER RANGING
High-precision satellite & space debris observations
Satellite Laser Ranging systems (SLR) are installed worldwide to observe satellites which are equipped with retro reflectors. Modern SLR systems measure the distance to space targets with an accuracy of up to a few millimeters.
SLR systems fire short laser pulses to a satellite or a space debris target.
A few photons from these laser pulses are reflected either by retro reflectors of a satellite or by the surface of an uncooperative space debris target back to the origin direction of the SLR system. Each time when the laser is emitted and when at least one reflected photon is received, the SLR system measures the time with an extremely high precision. From these time measurements the so called time-of-flight is computed and the distance to the target can be determined down to a few centimeters or even millimeters.
Today, many SLR systems have a laser firing frequency of 2kHz and operate in a single photon regime which means that per laser shot only one single, reflected photon is measured.
It is essential that every part of a SLR system operates precisely as well as the overall coordination of subsystem interaction is running optimally to achieve very high measurement accuracies. Our sophisticated command & control system "SCOPE" makes sure that the SLR operation works like a charm and is easy to use by the observers!
SATELLITE LASER RANGING
High-precision satellite & space debris observations
Satellite Laser Ranging systems (SLR) are installed worldwide to observe satellites which are equipped with retro reflectors. Modern SLR systems measure the distance to space targets with an accuracy of up to a few millimeters.
SLR systems fire short laser pulses to a satellite or a space debris target.
A few photons from these laser pulses are reflected either by retro reflectors of a satellite or by the surface of an uncooperative space debris target back to the origin direction of the SLR system. Each time when the laser is emitted and when at least one reflected photon is received, the SLR system measures the time with an extremely high precision. From these time measurements the so called time-of-flight is computed and the distance to the target can be determined down to a few centimeters or even millimeters.
Today, many SLR systems have a laser firing frequency of 2kHz and operate in a single photon regime which means that per laser shot only one single, reflected photon is measured.
It is essential that every part of a SLR system operates precisely as well as the overall coordination of subsystem interaction is running optimally to achieve very high measurement accuracies. Our sophisticated command & control system "SCOPE" makes sure that the SLR operation works like a charm and is easy to use by the observers!
WHAT IS SCOPE?
SCOPE is a command & control system for SLR stations which covers all aspects of the SLR operation. It was initially designed for the SLR system at GFZ in Potsdam/Germany where it is now in operation since 2012.
SCOPE comprises a modern user interface and central daemon software running the the background to command and control all hardware and security components in real-time. It allows to perform all SLR operations, observations and monitoring remotely, too. We also offer our complete SLR system simulator for verification, troubleshooting, training and demonstration.
WHAT IS SCOPE?
SCOPE is a command & control system for SLR stations which covers all aspects of the SLR operation. It was initially designed for the SLR system at GFZ in Potsdam/Germany where it is now in operation since 2012.
SCOPE comprises a modern user interface and central daemon software running the the background to command and control all hardware and security components in real-time. It allows to perform all SLR operations, observations and monitoring remotely, too. We also offer our complete SLR system simulator for software verification, troubleshooting, training and demonstration.
SCOPE FEATURES
The design of SCOPE encompasses decades of SLR knowledge from the Potsdam SLR system at hand.
SCOPE covers all features that are expected from modern SLR software for kHz systems and can be easily extended to support new user requirements and new applications. We provide SCOPE as a fully integrated package for specific SLR systems as well as tailored solutions to meet special customer requirements.
A new planning component allows the SLR system operator to comfortably create & schedule observation plans some days or weeks in advance!
SCOPE FEATURES
The design of SCOPE encompasses decades of SLR knowledge from the Potsdam SLR system at hand.
SCOPE covers all features that are expected from modern SLR software for kHz systems and can be easily extended to support new user requirements and new applications. We provide SCOPE as a fully integrated package for specific SLR systems as well as tailored solutions to meet special customer requirements.
A new planning component allows the SLR system operator to comfortably create & schedule observation plans some days or weeks in advance!
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF SCOPE
SCOPE is designed to operate on a single workstation or can be separated on two workstations for remote operation.
The software package is written in C, C++ and Python. All timing critical parts run on a Real-Time Linux (customized Gentoo Linux) to support very high command and control accuracies with jitters of +/-5µs despite e.g. high I/O load or cache pollution.
The main parts of SCOPE are communicating via TCP/IP:
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF SCOPE
SCOPE is designed to operate on a single workstation or can be separated on two workstations for remote operation.
The software package is written in C, C++ and Python. All timing critical parts run on a Real-Time Linux (customized Gentoo Linux) to support very high command and control accuracies with jitters of +/-5µs despite e.g. high I/O load or cache pollution.
The main parts of SCOPE are communicating via TCP/IP:
SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT & ARCHITECTURE
SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT & ARCHITECTURE
HARDWARE ENVIRONMENT
HARDWARE ENVIRONMENT
Multi Static Debris Tracking
SCOPE supports multi-static space debris tracking
DiGOS demonstrated for DLR the multi-static space debris tracking capabilities of the SLR system in Potsdam. In a dedicated campaign the colleagues from the IWF Graz SLR system illuminated different space debris targets with a powerful laser and single, reflected photons were measured in Potsdam.
Prepared with SCOPE
SLR station Potsdam verified for multi-static space debris observations (image by AIUB)
Multi Static Debris Tracking
SCOPE supports multi-static space debris tracking
DiGOS demonstrated for DLR the multi-static space debris tracking capabilities of the SLR system in Potsdam. In a dedicated campaign the colleagues from the SLR system at IWF Graz illuminated different space debris targets with a powerful laser and single, reflected photons were measured in Potsdam.
RANGE GATE GENERATOR
Hardware developments by DiGOS & GFZ
In 2015 DiGOS and the GFZ SLR team developed a new Range Gate Generator (RGG) which is now operating at SLR systems in Potsdam/Germany and Metsähovi/Finland
The Range Gate Generator meets the requirements of kHz SLR systems in Potsdam and Metsähovi. The new RGG is highly configurable, supports different operation modes, gate sizes, delay settings, etc. Its design is based on expertise from the previous Potsdam RGG.
RANGE GATE GENERATOR
Hardware developments by DiGOS & GFZ
In 2015 DiGOS and the GFZ SLR team developed a new Range Gate Generator (RGG) which is now operating at SLR systems in Potsdam/Germany and Metsähovi/Finland
The Range Gate Generator meets the requirements of both kHz SLR systems in Potsdam and Metsähovi. Its design is based on the expertise from the previous RGG which has been operated for many years in Potsdam. The new RGG is highly configurable to support different operation modes, gate sizes, delay settings, etc.
Features of the RGG
Input interfaces
Output interfaces
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Fully supported by SCOPE
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Dynamic timing configuration depending on target & operation mode
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Emergency button for laser power off
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Gating accuracy of <10ns
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19 inch rack unit (1RU)
-
Firmware written in C
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1PPS for time synchronization
-
10MHz for clock signal
-
2x RS-232 for command and control
-
Optional external stop signal
-
Laser trigger
-
Gate signal
-
Optional: autostop
Features
-
Fully supported by SCOPE
-
Dynamic timing configuration depending on target & operation mode
-
Emergency button for laser power off
-
Gating accuracy of <10ns
-
19 inch rack unit (1RU)
-
Firmware written in C
Inputs
-
1PPS for time synchronization
-
10MHz for clock signal
-
2x RS-232 for command and control
-
Optional external stop signal
Outputs
-
Laser trigger
-
Gate signal
-
Optional: autostop
WHAT WE OFFER
DiGOS provides a complete system integration solution for SLR stations. This includes design and implementation of new SLR stations, upgrade and enhancement of existing SLR station with SCOPE as well as consulting, analysis and improvement of operational systems.
ENGINEERING
We offer planning, design and engineering for new SLR system or improving existing ones
CUSTOMIZATION
We implement our SCOPE solution according to your specific requirements
EXTENSION
We extend SCOPE to include extra operation modes and add more complex features
ADAPTATION
We adapt SCOPE as needed to support your telescope, laser, range gate, optical devices, dome, cameras, etc.
INTEGRATION
We perform complete system integration including SCOPE for your SLR system and support full SLR system commissioning
TRAINING
We train your staff in all aspects of SCOPE, and offer continuous maintenance and user support