Space Communication Systems Laboratory

►11.28 - 12.2.2011 AIAA ICSSC 2011 (AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference 2011) was held in Nara, Japan. As co-authors, our researchers received the “Best Student Paper Award” from AIAA(American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) and the “Best Paper Award” from JFSC(AIAA Japan Forum of Satellite Communications).

►11.21.2011 NICT received Certificate of Appreciation from the Chief of Staff, A.S.D.F at Ministry of Defense.
— for the contribution of WINDS(Wideband InterNetworking engineering test and Demonstration Satellite) in “Kizuna” activities to emergency aid efforts after the Great East Japan Earthquake —

Overview

Space Communication Systems Laboratory promotes various research projects for advanced space communication and conducts research and development (R&D) on satellite communication technologies that are effective in disaster and disaster mitigation.

Today, the volume of earth observation data is growing because of the increased observational frequency and the improved quality of images. Towards the everlasting development of Japan’s space communication field, we will promote R&D on satellite communication technologies such as optical communication to transmit enormous data at ultra-high speed.

Listed below are our laboratory units, each of which is working on specific research themes for advanced space communication.

Universal Coverage Architecture(STICS)

Our project, Satellite-Terrestrial Integrated Mobile Communication Systems (STICS), promotes research and development for the integration of infrastructure technology of terrestrial and satellite mobile communications

Broadband Mobile Satellite Communication

Our research focuses on high-speed satellite communication network technology and future utility using WINDS, which was launched in February 2008.

Satellite Laser Technology

We are in charge of the research and development activities for inter-satellite and satellite-ground laser communication technologies.

High-Precision Orbit Technology

We are developing high-precision orbit determination technologies for low earth orbiters with laser communication equipment using 35cm-optical telescopes and GPS signals.

Universal Coverage Architecture(ETS-VIII)

We conduct research on the satellite communication system (for land vehicles, small vessels, aircraft and others) which can carry out a satellite communication with anyone located anywhere at anytime by using Engineering Test Satellite VIII(ETS-VIII).

Multi-feeder Link

We study the advanced satellite communication technologies and a multi feeder link earth station using small satellites for communication and observation satellites.

Ground Demonstration of Free-Space Optical Communication

This unit concentrates on ground demonstrations of the key technology for free-space optical communications. In particular, Gbps-Tbps class broadband wireless communication has been demonstrated by the seamless connection between free-space and single-mode fibers using a high-performance beacon tracking technology.