Dr Perrine Lognoné

PDRA in the Department of Physics

What do you do?

I received my degree from the Institut d’Optique Graduate School, France, in 2020, as well as an M.E. in “Optical Networks and Photonic Systems” from the University of Paris-Saclay in the same year. In 2023, I completed my PhD on the “Optical and Digital Optimisation of Ground-to-Satellite Feeder Links” at Telecom Paris and ONERA (France).

I specialise in the characterisation and modelling of free-space optical telecommunication links affected by atmospheric disturbances, as well as in the optimisation of digital and optical mitigation techniques.

How are you involved in this area of science? 

My work focuses on the development of new satellite communication technologies using lasers rather than radio-waves. Currently, the world relies on the optical fibre network for communications, which is non-ubiquitous, expensive to lay, and vulnerable. Relaying the data through satellites would allow achieving ubiquitous coverage while increasing the global network capacity.

Unfortunately, the bandwidth and the security of current satellite radio links is limited. Using space optical links instead would multiply the achievable data-rates tenfold while providing intrinsic security. However, the communication signal issued from these satellite optical links is heavily distorted by atmospheric turbulence, which decreases the achievable data-rates. Hence, I’m working on innovative optical and digital mitigation techniques to reach these satellite optical links' full potential.

What do you love about this topic?

I love my topic for so many reasons! First, I love it because of the impact it can have on people's everyday life by enabling better internet access everywhere on the globe. Also, I love how rapid the advancements are in this field, driven by both academia and industry, which facilitates a seamless transition from theoretical concepts to field experimental demonstrations. Lastly, I enjoy learning from diverse scientific communities, particularly in astronomical instrumentation and telecommunications. The satellite optical communication field, situated at the intersection of these two domains, allows for a creative blend of techniques from both areas.

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

 The role of internet and communication networks is central in our societies today, and having access to these networks is an important factor of socioeconomic development. Hence, I think that developing more ubiquitous networks would help to give everyone better internet access, thus reducing the digital divide and enabling the reduction of socio-economic inequalities.

Also, these communication links can be used to download data more efficiently from earth observation satellites or space probes, hence enabling the use of better quality/resolution instruments in space, collecting more information to monitor climate change and learn more about our universe.

Find out more: 

• Discover more about optical communications at NASA
• Watch the cat video transferred from deep space by NASA
• Find out more about the NASA Cat video