Dr. Christopher Schmidt Profile

Dr. Christopher Schmidt

Project Manager OSIRIS at Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt eV

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Publications (16)

Proceedings Article | 19 November 2024 Paper

Image sensor-based pointing, acquisition, and tracking for optical satellite links

Jan Paul Jakobs, Christopher Schmidt

Proceedings Volume 13194, 131940L (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3033100

KEYWORDS: Image sensors, Sensors, Satellites, Laser communication terminals, Free space optics, Satellite imaging, Optical tracking, CMOS sensors, Telecommunications, Stray light

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Proceedings Article | 15 March 2023 Presentation + Paper

Optical satellite links at DLR

C. Fuchs, F. Moll, J. Poliak, A. Reeves, C. Schmidt

Proceedings Volume 12413, 1241306 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2659377

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Free space optics, Quantum key distribution, Adaptive optics, Satellite communications, Atmospheric optics, Telescopes, Free space optical communications, Laser communication terminals, Quantum optics experiments

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Proceedings Article | 26 October 2022 Presentation + Paper

Analysis of power scintillation and fading margin in the LEO-ground downlink with the OSIRISv1 laser terminal on Flying Laptop and the DLR optical ground station Oberpfaffenhofen

Florian Moll, Dirk Giggenbach, Christopher Schmidt, Christian Fuchs

Proceedings Volume 12266, 122660F (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2647830

KEYWORDS: Scintillation, Satellites, Telescopes, Statistical analysis, Satellite communications, Atmospheric propagation, Analytical research, Wave propagation

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Proceedings Article | 11 June 2021 Open Access

Modular FSO optical system design for classical and quantum optical communication systems

Shehryar Ishtiaq, Christopher Schmidt, Florian Moll

Proceedings Volume 11852, 118520G (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2599161

KEYWORDS: Optical design, Beam splitters, Optical components, Optical benches, Optical filters, Telecommunications, Optical communications, Calibration, Quantum communications, Sensors

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Optical communication systems are picking up pace in the various industries for its many scenarios in which it can be used. This includes satellite, aircraft and ground systems for which the DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation develops laser terminals. Free Space Optics (FSO) based optical systems have different applications ranging from terrestrial to airborne to space, and thus also the associated requirements to these application domains vary even though the primary functional goals remain the same. Furthermore, quantum communication became of interest for its inherently secure key generation process that allows two nodes to securely communicate with each other and share secrets for long term security. Out of the different use cases of free-space optical laser terminal came the concept of having a modular FSO optical system design that could quickly adapt to the changing needs from mission to mission. The idea of a modularity appeals to many despite its challenges in the beginning, as in the long run the pros outweigh the cons and the gained advantages make the initial effort worth the while. The concept was realised by carefully studying different requirements from various on-going and past projects and thereafter segmenting different aspects of the optical system based on three main categories, namely; the received path, the transmitted path and the shared path. To elaborate modularity in system here; a fast steering mirror (FSM) can be replaced with a fold mirror for a simpler design should the requirements not require it, or an exchangeable CPA with integrated telescope mounted at the aperture of the optical bench to allow for different magnifications and ex-aperture beam diameter, all these without major impact on other subsystems. This greatly reduces the effort involved in re-evaluating system performance in the long run. In this study the design and development of such an optical system is presented that lays its ground in the Institute of Communications and Navigation’s OSIRIS project, but still continues to serve as the primary optical system design of choice for future projects.

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Proceedings Article | 22 August 2020 Presentation + Paper

High data-rate optical communication payload for CubeSats

Benjamin Rödiger, Christian Menninger, Christian Fuchs, Lukas Grillmayer, Saskia Arnold, Christoph Rochow, Philipp Wertz, Christopher Schmidt

Proceedings Volume 11506, 1150604 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2567035

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Optical communications, Space operations, Satellite communications, Commercial off the shelf technology, Interfaces, Telecommunications

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Proceedings Article | 22 August 2020 Presentation + Paper

Demonstration of an FSO/RF hybrid-communication system on aeronautical and space applications

Benjamin Rödiger, David Ginthör, Jorge Pacheco Labrador, Julio Ramirez, Christopher Schmidt, Christian Fuchs

Proceedings Volume 11506, 1150603 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2567034

KEYWORDS: Free space optics, Error control coding, Telecommunications, Switching, Data communications, Optical communications, RF communications, Atmospheric optics

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Proceedings Article | 12 July 2019 Open Access

Update on DLR's OSIRIS program

Christian Fuchs, Christopher Schmidt

Proceedings Volume 11180, 111800I (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2535937

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Satellite communications, Optical amplifiers, Optical communications, Space operations, Quartz, Laser sources, Satellite navigation systems, Sensors, Quantum communications

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Proceedings Article | 4 March 2019 Paper

Update on DLR's OSIRIS program and first results of OSIRISv1 on Flying Laptop

Christian Fuchs, Christopher Schmidt, Jonas Keim, Florian Moll, Benjamin Rödiger, Michael Lengowski, Steffen Gaißer, Dirk Giggenbach

Proceedings Volume 10910, 109100S (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2514349

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Satellite communications, Cameras, Collimators, Telecommunications, Optical tracking, Optical communications, Data communications, Optical amplifiers, Navigation systems

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Proceedings Article | 15 February 2018 Presentation + Paper

The OSIRIS program at DLR

C. Schmidt, C. Fuchs

Proceedings Volume 10524, 105240R (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2290726

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Space operations, Sensors, Satellite communications, Standards development, Optical communications, Telecommunications, Optical amplifiers, Aerospace engineering, Data communications

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Proceedings Article | 25 September 2017 Open Access

Inter-island demonstration of optical communication links in robotic operations

Christopher Schmidt, Christian Fuchs, Julio Ramirez, Jorge Pacheco, Martin Brechtelsbauer, Amita Shrestha, Armin Wedler, Philipp Kremer, Vardan Semerjyan, Eric Wille

Proceedings Volume 10562, 105625O (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2296110

KEYWORDS: Optical communications, Robotics, Control systems, Telecommunications, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Data communications, Astronomical imaging, Video, Lanthanum

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Proceedings Article | 25 September 2017 Open Access

Sota optical downlinks to DLR’s optical ground stations

Christian Fuchs, Dimitar Kolev, Florian Moll, Amita Shrestha, Martin Brechtelsbauer, Fabian Rein, Christopher Schmidt, Maki Akioka, Yasushi Munemasa, Hideki Takenaka, Morio Toyoshima

Proceedings Volume 10562, 1056247 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2296107

KEYWORDS: Space telescopes, Telescopes, Satellites, Cameras, Astronomical imaging, Optical tracking, Sensors, Optical communications, Satellite communications, Transponders

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Proceedings Article | 25 September 2017 Open Access

system aspects of optical LEO-to-ground links

D. Giggenbach, A. Shrestha, C. Fuchs, C. Schmidt, F. Moll

Proceedings Volume 10562, 105625N (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2296054

KEYWORDS: Receivers, Satellites, Signal attenuation, Atmospheric optics, Modulation, Scintillation, Astronomical imaging, Data communications, Sensors, Free space optics

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Proceedings Article | 24 February 2017 Presentation + Paper

DLR's free space experimental laser terminal for optical aircraft downlinks

Christian Fuchs, Christopher Schmidt, Benjamin Rödiger, Amita Shrestha, Martin Brechtelsbauer, Julio Ramirez Molina, Jorge Pacheco, Veronika Gstaiger

Proceedings Volume 10096, 1009610 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2254791

KEYWORDS: Free space optics, Free space, Laser optics, Laser communications, Telecommunications, Cameras, Forward error correction, Computing systems, Global Positioning System, Telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 21 October 2016 Paper

LEO-ground scintillation measurements with the optical ground station Oberpfaffenhofen and SOTA/OPALS space terminals

Florian Moll, Dimitar Kolev, Matthew Abrahamson, Christopher Schmidt, Ramon Mata Calvo, Christian Fuchs

Proceedings Volume 9991, 999102 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2254809

KEYWORDS: Scintillation, Satellites, Space telescopes, Receivers, Telescopes, Satellite communications, Cameras, Transmitters, Optical testing, Near field optics

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Proceedings Article | 29 April 2016 Paper

Aerospace laser communications technology as enabler for worldwide quantum key distribution

Florian Moll, Harald Weinfurter, Markus Rau, Christopher Schmidt, Gwen Melén, Tobias Vogl, Sebastian Nauerth, Christian Fuchs

Proceedings Volume 9900, 99000K (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230232

KEYWORDS: Quantum key distribution, Satellites, Laser communications, Aerospace engineering, Free space optics, Satellite communications, Receivers, Polarization, Telecommunications, Telescopes

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A worldwide growing interest in fast and secure data communications pushes technology development along two lines. While fast communications can be realized using laser communications in fiber and free-space, inherently secure communications can be achieved using quantum key distribution (QKD). By combining both technologies in a single device, many synergies can be exploited, therefore reducing size, weight and power of future systems. In recent experiments we demonstrated quantum communications over large distances as well as between an aircraft and a ground station which proved the feasibility of QKD between moving partners. Satellites thus may be used as trusted nodes in combination with QKD receiver stations on ground, thereby enabling fast and secure communications on a global scale. We discuss the previous experiment with emphasis on necessary developments to be done and corresponding ongoing research work of German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (LMU). DLR is performing research on satellite and ground terminals for the high-rate laser communication component, which are enabling technologies for the QKD link. We describe the concept and hardware of three generations of OSIRIS (Optical High Speed Infrared Link System) laser communication terminals for low Earth orbiting satellites. The first type applies laser beam pointing solely based on classical satellite control, the second uses an optical feedback to the satellite bus and the third, currently being in design phase, comprises of a special coarse pointing assembly to control beam direction independent of satellite orientation. Ongoing work also targets optical terminals for CubeSats. A further increase of beam pointing accuracy can be achieved with a fine pointing assembly. Two ground stations will be available for future testing, an advanced stationary ground station and a transportable ground station. In parallel the LMU QKD source size will be reduced by more than an order of magnitude thereby simplifying its integration into future free-space optical communication links with CubeSats.

Proceedings Article | 6 March 2014 Paper

Channel characterization for air-to-ground free-space optical communication links

Kevin Shortt, Dirk Giggenbach, Ramon Mata-Calvo, Florian Moll, Christian Fuchs, Christopher Schmidt, Joachim Horwath, Jack Yeh, Vevek Selvaraj, Ranjoy Banerjee

Proceedings Volume 8971, 897108 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2039834

KEYWORDS: Cameras, Telescopes, Wavefront sensors, Imaging systems, Optical communications, Telecommunications, Space telescopes, PIN photodiodes, Free space optical communications, Measurement devices

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Showing 5 of 16 publications

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