TeraNet Projects | Advanced Communications
Redefining the Future of Space Connectivity
Pushing the boundaries of optical communication with cutting-edge technologies.
Advancing Optical Communication for Secure, High-Speed Connectivity
As the demand for high-speed, secure, and efficient space communication continues to grow, TeraNet’s Advanced Communications initiative is at the forefront of innovation.
By integrating quantum-secured communication, adaptive optics, and high-bandwidth optical systems, TeraNet is enabling the next generation of ultra-high speed optical communications, deep-space communications, and optical timing.
This initiative leverages breakthrough free-space optical communication techniques to provide ultra-secure, low-latency data transfer—critical for applications precision is paramount.
Why TeraNet’s Advanced Communications Matter
Unmatched Security
Quantum encryption ensures communication remains impenetrable
Ultra-High Data Rates
Optical communication enables terabit-per-second speeds.
Future-Ready Technology
Positioning TeraNet at the forefront of next-generation space exploration.
TeraNet’s capabilities
TeraNet’s optical ground terminals are designed for cutting-edge optical communications and scientific research. Each node is specialised to support advanced communications technologies, enabling high-bandwidth, quantum-secured, and deep-space communication.
TN-1 specialising in high-photon-efficiency, pulse position modulation deep-space communications. Equipped with highly sensitive single-photon detectors, TN-1 enables optical communication with spacecraft between low Earth orbit and the Moon.
TN-2 focuses on ultra-high-speed coherent communication and high-precision coherent timing. This is achieved through advanced modulators, an optical coherent detector, and a HartSCI ClearStar adaptive optics system, which enhances performance by enabling efficient single-mode fibre coupling.
TN-3 is designed for tactical optical communication operations, including quantum communications and quantum-assured timing.
Together, these technologies support a new era of secure, high-bandwidth ground-to-space communication, positioning, frequency, and timing experiments.
Ultra High-Speed Coherent Communications
The explosion in the number of active satellites and the enormous amounts of data generated by their high-fidelity cameras and sensors is under-utilized due to bottlenecks in downlinking the data to Earth. Ultra high-speed coherent laser communications offer data rates orders of magnitude greater than is possible with radio transmissions, overcoming this bottleneck, and getting more valuable data down to the ground. TeraNet is designed to support these high data rate optical communications downlinks, using a flexible receiving architecture, in one of the clearest sky sites on Earth.
High Photon Efficiency Deep Space Communications
The enormous distances between the Earth and the Moon and other planets means that the laser communications signals from probes in deep space are extremely weak by the time they reach Earth. High photon efficiency communications use ultra-sensitive detectors and specialized modulation formats to maximize the information recovered from the small number of photons reaching our receiver.
Secure Quantum Communications
Quantum communications provides data encryption that is guaranteed un-hackable by the laws of physics. This capability can be extended to secure satellite navigation systems, meaning quantum communications can be used to transmit global positioning and timing signals that cannot be spoofed by malicious actors. Quantum communications systems are also needed to support ultra-sensitive quantum sensor networks and distributed quantum computing – a key part of the future “quantum internet”.
Ultra precise optical positioning and timing
The enormous value of global navigation satellite systems, such as GPS, to our modern technology is evident from enormous range of industries that depend on the technology – from transport to banking to agriculture. Ultra-precise optical positioning and timing will support the next generation of satellite navigation and timing systems and offer precision orders of magnitude better than is possible with current systems. This technology will also support the next generation of high precision space science, leading to discoveries that will deepen our understanding of our Universe and lead to new technological developments.
