Full Field-of-View Optical Calibration with Microradian-Level Accuracy for Space Laser Communication Terminals on Low-Earth-Orbit Constellation Applications

ObjectiveThe Coarse Pointing Assembly (CPA) is a core element in laser communication systems and supports wide-field scanning, active orbit-attitude compensation, and dynamic disturbance isolation. To address multi-source disturbances such as orbital perturbations and attitude maneuvers, a high-precision, high-bandwidth, and fast-response Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) algorithm is required. Establishing a full Field-Of-View (FOV) optical calibration model between the CPA and the detector is essential for suppressing image degradation caused by spatial pointing deviations. Conventional calibration methods often rely on ray tracing to simulate beam offsets and infer calibration relationships, yet they show several limitations. These limitations include high modeling complexity caused by non-coaxial paths, multi-reflective surfaces, and freeform optics; susceptibility to systematic errors generated by assembly tolerances, detector non-uniformity, and thermal drift; and restricted applicability across the full FOV due to spatial anisotropy. A high-precision calibration method that remains effective across the entire FOV is therefore needed to overcome these challenges and ensure stable and reliable laser communication links.MethodsTo achieve precise CPA-detector calibration and address the limitations of traditional approaches, this paper presents a full FOV optical calibration method with microradian-level accuracy. Based on the optical design characteristics of periscope-type laser terminals, an equivalent optical transmission model of the CPA is established and the mechanism of image rotation is examined. Leveraging the structural rigidity of the optical transceiver channel, the optical transmission matrix is simplified to a constant matrix, yielding a full-space calibration model that directly links CPA micro-perturbations to spot displacements. By correlating the CPA rotation angles between the calibration target points and the actual operating positions, the calibration task is further reduced to estimating the calibration matrix at the target points. Random micro-perturbations are applied to the CPA to induce corresponding micro-displacements of the detector spot. A calibration equation based on CPA motion and spot displacement is formulated, and the calibration matrix is obtained through least-squares regression. The full-space calibration relationship between the CPA and detector is then derived through matrix operations.Results and DiscussionsUsing the proposed calibration method, an experimental platform (Fig. 4) is constructed for calibration and verification with a periscope laser terminal. Accurate measurements of the conjugate motion relationship between the CPA and the CCD detector spot are obtained (Table. 1). To evaluate calibration accuracy and full-space applicability, systematic verification is conducted through single-step static pointing and continuous dynamic tracking. In the static pointing verification, the mechanical rotary table is moved to three extreme diagonal positions, and the CPA performs open-loop pointing based on the established CPA-detector calibration relationship. Experimental results show that the spot reaches the intended target position (Fig. 5), with a pointing accuracy below 12 mrad (RMS). In the dynamic tracking experiment, system control parameters are optimized to maintain stable tracking of the platform beam. During low-angular-velocity motion of the rotary table, the laser terminal sustains stable tracking (Fig. 6). The CPA trajectory shows a clear conjugate relationship with the rotary table motion (Fig. 6(a), Fig. 6(b)), and the tracking accuracy in both orthogonal directions is below 5 mrad (Fig. 6(c), Fig. 6(d)). The independence of the optical transmission matrix from the selection of calibration target points is also examined. By increasing the spatial accessibility of calibration points, the method reduces operational complexity while maintaining calibration precision. Improved spatial distribution of calibration points further enhances calibration efficiency and accuracy.ConclusionsThis paper presents a full FOV optical calibration method with microradian-level accuracy based on single-target micro-perturbation measurement. To satisfy engineering requirements for rapid linking and stable tracking, a full-space optical matrix model for CPA-detector calibration is constructed using matrix optics. Random micro-perturbations applied to the CPA at a single target point generate a generalized transfer equation, from which the calibration matrix is obtained through least-squares estimation. Experimental results show that the model mitigates image rotation, mirroring, and tracking anomalies, suppresses calibration residuals to below 12 mrad across the full FOV, and limits the dynamic tracking error to within 5 mrad per axis. The method eliminates the need for additional hardware and complex alignment procedures, providing a high-precision and low-complexity solution that supports rapid deployment in the mass production of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) laser terminals.