This study is led by Prof. Jing Li (Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China) and Prof. Xianjin Deng (Microsystem and Terahertz Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, China).
High-capacity satellite-to-ground communication is crucial for achieving global connectivity, space remote sensing, astronomical observations, and high-speed data transmission. Traditional satellite-to-ground communication mainly relies on microwave technology, which is limited by spectrum resources and bandwidth, making it difficult to meet the growing demand for high-rate, low-latency communication in the future. In contrast, terahertz (THz) and optical communication technologies are emerging, with THz communication demonstrating unique advantages in high-speed, low-latency scenarios due to its high tolerance for beam pointing errors and insensitivity to platform vibrations.
In this experiment, the team proposed for the first time the use of a ground-based THz astronomical telescope as the receiver for long-distance THz communication. The communication experimental system was deployed at the Xue-shan-mu-chang site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at an altitude of 4445 meters, characterized by low water vapor conditions. The receiver consists of a newly developed portable 60-cm-aperture THz astronomical telescope equipped with a quantum-limited superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixer operating at 500 GHz. The transmitter is a fully electronic THz emitter with an output power of only 15 μW. Using this communication system, the team achieved real-time high-definition video wireless transmission over a distance of 1.2 km. This achievement marks the first international demonstration of integrating a ground-based THz astronomical telescope into a THz communication system, verifying its great potential for future high-speed satellite-to-ground communication.
See the article:
Achieving 500-GHz communication over 1.2 km using an astronomical telescope with a quantum-limited superconducting receiver
https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwaf222
National Science Review