NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Metrology Optical Power Budgeting in SIM Using Statistical Analysis TechniquesThe Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) is a space-based stellar interferometry instrument, consisting of up to three interferometers, which will be capable of micro-arc second resolution. Alignment knowledge of the three interferometer baselines requires a three-dimensional, 14-leg truss with each leg being monitored by an external metrology gauge. In addition, each of the three interferometers requires an internal metrology gauge to monitor the optical path length differences between the two sides. Both external and internal metrology gauges are interferometry based, operating at a wavelength of 1319 nanometers. Each gauge has fiber inputs delivering measurement and local oscillator (LO) power, split into probe-LO and reference-LO beam pairs. These beams experience power loss due to a variety of mechanisms including, but not restricted to, design efficiency, material attenuation, element misalignment, diffraction, and coupling efficiency. Since the attenuation due to these sources may degrade over time, an accounting of the range of expected attenuation is needed so an optical power margin can be book kept. A method of statistical optical power analysis and budgeting, based on a technique developed for deep space RF telecommunications, is described in this paper and provides a numerical confidence level for having sufficient optical power relative to mission metrology performance requirements.
Document ID
20150008623
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Kuan, Gary M
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 20, 2015
Publication Date
June 23, 2008
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Meeting Information
Meeting: SPIE Astronomical Instrumentation 2008
Location: Marseille
Country: France
Start Date: June 23, 2008
End Date: June 28, 2008
Sponsors: International Society for Optical Engineering, SPIE Europe
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
stellar interferometry
statistical analysis
optical power budget
optical metrology

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available