High-sensitivity inter-satellite optical communications using chip-scale LED and single-photon detector hardware

Small satellites have challenging size weight and power requirements for communications modules, which we address here by using chip-scale light-emitting diode (LED) transmitters single-photon avalanche receivers. Data rates of 100 Mb/s been demonstrated at a sensitivity ?55.2 dBm, simulations with supporting experimental work indicate ranges in excess 1 km are feasible directional gain up to 52 dBi comparatively modest pointing requirements. A 750 m, 20 link single micro-LED has experimentally. The low electrical compact, semiconductor nature these devices offer high data rate, small satellite platforms.