Development of pointing, acquisition and tracking (PAT) algorithms for inter-satellite laser (ISL) cross-links

Abstract

This Final Year Project document deals with the Software Development for PAT in Inter-Satellite Laser (ISL) Cross-links to achieve line of sight laser communication between the satellites.

This software is programmed to move the gimbal motor with feedback from the CMOS camera to achieve Line of Sight (LOS) with the other Terminal. In the next few chapters, the report will touch on the important concepts of the project including parts used in the experimental setup, its description, the overall working of the system and the system and the software, showing a step by step development procedure for the gimbal control software, the image processing procedure and the grabbing of the images from the CMOS camera. Lastly, the combination of all the functions with the use of designed GUI.

The RS-232 programming components which are used for controlling the gimbal and the VB.net programming needed to be done for the image acquisition and analysis will be explained in detail. Techniques and approaches that are used in acquiring the coordinates of the brightest pixels will be explained in the programming chapters.

At the end of the report, a conclusion will summarize the whole project and the hurdles encountered and approaches made to resolve the problems. The recommendation for further development in the future will also be discussed.