ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the photodetectors and receivers as applicable to both the flight and ground transceivers. Fundamental aspects of the optoelectronic detection process, including the impact of background radiation for various types of receivers, are discussed in detail. Key properties of state-of-the-art receiver hardware, in particular of semiconductor photodetectors, optical filters, optical amplifiers, local laser oscillators, and coherent receiver components, are also elaborated on. Examples of a variety of digital optical receivers are given along with the derivation of their sensitivities. Also included are examples of receiver designs for the case of a high-rate lasercom scenario and for inter-satellite links.
