Yiqun Zhang

Bio: Yiqun Zhang is an academic researcher from Changchun University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Free-space optical communication & Base station. The author has co-authored 2 publications.

2.5 Gbps free-space optical transmission between two 5G airship floating base stations at a distance of 12 km.

Abstract: We experimentally demonstrated a long-range, large-capacity-featured, airship-based, free-space optical transmission system by using key technologies, such as GPS/INS real-time precision laser pointing, coarse and fine compound high-bandwidth laser tracking, avalanche photodiode detector adaptive control turbulence channel compensation, and the aurora laser fifth-generation (5G) interface protocol, to solve the problems of laser tracking and targeting based on an airship motion platform, high-speed signal transmission under atmospheric channel perturbation, and interface protocol between a wireless laser link and 5G base station signal, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the first FSO transmission of 5G base station signals between airship platforms with a rate of 2.5 Gbps and a distance of 12 km was realized, and channel turbulence jitter was also recorded for laser links of different altitudes, from 200 to 1000 m, which provides technical and data support for the application of wireless laser links in 5G floating base stations.

Atmospheric Laser Communication Technology Based on Detector Gain Factor Regulation Control

Abstract: Space laser communication, with its strong anti-jamming capability, high transmission rate and good adaptability, offers hope for the establishment of 5G mobile networks in areas that are not conducive to the erection of cables, such as islands and remote land areas. Turbulent scintillation effect is one of the important factors affecting the performance of laser communication, which can lead to the increase of communication BER and even communication interruption. Based on the working principle of the photoelectric detector in atmospheric turbulence, an optical communication receiving system based on the detector gain factor regulation control is designed, which calculates the scintillation variance according to the received signal in real time, establishes the function conversion relationship between the scintillation variance and the gain factor, realizes the closed-loop regulation control of the detector gain factor, and improves the SNR of the receiving system. A ground-based 13km static laser communication experiment was set up to test the reception performance, and the test results show that the system reduces the communication BER by more than two orders of magnitude and can be kept at 1E-6 under medium to weak turbulence (discriminated by flash variance) at a communication rate of 2.5Gbps. The technology was applied to the test of laser 5G signal transmission between the airship and the ground, and for the first time, the mobile communication (access network) signal transmission with a downlink speed of 1.230Gbps and an uplink speed of 76.4Mbps is realized, which verified the performance of mobile signal transmission between the mobile base station and the fixed station on the ground.

Free-space optical stealth communication based on wide-band spontaneous emission

Abstract: We proposed and experimentally demonstrated a free-space optical stealth communication system that hides the stealth signal in wide-band spontaneous emission noise. Spontaneous emission light sources have been widely used for illuminations and has been recently deployed for short distance and indoor free-space optical communications, such as LiFi. Since free-space optical communication is a broadcasting network, the users’ privacy is exposed to eavesdropping attacks. In this paper, stealth communication is achieved by taking advantage of the existing properties of spontaneous emission light sources, random phase fluctuations, and protects users’ privacy in free-space communication networks. The keys to hide and recover the stealth signal are the optical delays at the transmitter and receiver. Only by matching the delay length with the pre-shared keys can the authorized receiver recover the stealth signal. Without the right key, the eavesdropper receives a constant power that is the same as illumination light sources and cannot detect the existence of the stealth signal.

Method for 10 Gbps near-ground quasi-static free-space laser transmission by nutation mutual coupling.

Abstract: This study proposes a method to reduce link loss in near-ground space laser communication with fiber-nutation-based mutual coupling. We designed a transmit-receive coaxial laser terminal with a 50 mm aperture and implemented beam acquisition tracking and nutation coupling using a single-detector and single-actuator. Following an indoor experiment and a 1 km field test, the single-ended nutation coupling and the two-way nutation mutual coupling theories were compared and analyzed. In conclusion, the proposed method could significantly increase the reception efficiency by ∼8 dB. The bit error rate of 10 Gbps pseudo-random code transmission was 2.478E-9. We also demonstrated video transmission.

High-sensitivity multi-channel DPSK system with real-time phase lock controller for free-space optical communication

Abstract: To overcome the power jitters in satellite-to-ground communications caused by atmospheric turbulence, a type of DPSK free-space communication system, assisted by a self-designed real-time phase lock controller, has been established. The system can effectively compensate for power swings in communication links and hence achieve high sensitivity. The wavelength division multiplexing technique is applied to a four-channel DPSK system to provide greater link capacity. With the data rate of a single channel as 2.5 Gbps and unencoded BER as 1 × 10–3, reception sensitivity has been obtained at −53.58 dBm (13.69 photons/bit), −53.59 dBm (13.66 photons/bit), −53.61 dBm (13.59 photons/bit), and −53.63 dBm (13.53 photons/bit) for each independent channel, respectively. The gap between our sensitivity result and the theoretical limit has narrowed to about −3.5 dB. Simultaneously, the DPSK receiver, with our self-designed phase lock controller, has stabilized reception of optical power fluctuations that range from 0 to 40 dB. Additionally, the impact of a four-wave mixing effect on multi-channel system performance has been investigated in detail. Our experimental results present a novel solution for the superior performance of free-space communication links.

Multi-modulation compatible miniaturization system for FSO communication assisted by chirp-managed laser.

Abstract: In recent years, the thriving satellite laser communication industry has been severely hindered by the limitations of incompatible modulation formats and restricted Size Weight and Power (SWaP). A multi-modulation compatible method serving for free-space optical (FSO) communication has been proposed assisted by chirp-managed laser (CML). The corresponding demonstration system has been established for realizing free-switching between intensity (OOK) and phase modulation (RZ-DPSK). The feasibility and performance of system have been evaluated sufficiently when loading with 2.5 and 5 Gbps data streams, respectively. Additionally, a control-group system has been operated utilizing Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) for comparison between CML-based and MZM-based compatibility solutions. The OOK receiving sensitivities of CML-based system are -47.02 dBm@2.5 Gbps and -46.12 dBm@5 Gbps at BER of 1×10-3 which are 0.62 dB and 1.11 dB higher than that of MZM; the receiving sensitivities of RZ-DPSK are -50.12 dBm@2.5 Gbps and -47.03 dBm@5 Gbps which are 0.79 dB and 0.47 dB higher than that of MZM respectively. Meanwhile, CML-based transmitter abandoned the traditional modulator and its complicated supporting devices which can effectively contribute to the reduction of SWaP. The CML-based system has been proven to have the compatibility between intensity and phase modulation while also possesses a miniaturized design. It may provide fresh thinking to achieve a practical miniaturization system for satisfying the requirements of space optical network in future.

Performance evaluation of the high-speed deep-space optical communication system assisted by preamplified thresholded pulse-position modulation

Abstract: Deep-space free-space optical (FSO) communication utilized the light wave as carriers for information transfer which has the major benefit of small size, lightweight, and low consumption compared with microwave communication loaded with the same data rate. The M-ary pulse-position modulation (M-PPM) format is a favorable choice for deep-space FSO communication by means of its high sensitivity. The preamplified thresholded M-PPM technique has been confirmed, and a corresponding demonstration has been accomplished with data rates of 1.25 Gbps and 2.00 Gbps separately. The receiving sensitivities (BER@1 × 10−3) of 1.25 Gbps and 2.00 Gbps 16-PPM have been detected as -57.51 dBm (11.04 photons/bit) and -55.03 dBm (12.25 photons/bit), respectively. Simultaneously, the high extinction ratio of M-PPM has been achieved, for example, the extinction ratio of 16-PPM has been detected as 39.51 and 38.27 dB for 1.25 Gbps and 2.00 Gbps, which are 17.60 and 17.44 dB higher than that of on–off keying (OOK) modulation, respectively. The results imply that our communication scheme possessed high sensitivity and eliminated the requirements of single-photon detectors (SPDs) and high-speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) which finds an alternative solution for deep-space FSO communication.