Satellite Signal Detection via Rydberg-Atom Receiver

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first successful detection of satellite signals using Rydberg-atom receivers, achieving high sensitivity and signal capture without low-noise amplifiers, advancing satellite communication technology.

Contribution

Introduces a novel high-gain antenna and microwave cavity setup enabling satellite signal detection with Rydberg-atom sensors, achieving record sensitivity and direct beacon signal capture.

Findings

Detected geostationary satellite beacon signals with Rydberg sensors for the first time.

Achieved a minimum detectable microwave power of -128 dBm at 3.80 GHz.

Captured C-band modulated signals with an 8 dB SNR.

Abstract

Rydberg-atom receivers aim for ultra-high sensitivity to microwave fields through various techniques, but receiving satellite signals has remained a significant challenge, due to the difficulty of capturing weak microwaves over long distances. In this work, we introduce a high-gain antenna to focus satellite signals, and then apply into an atomic cell via a microwave cavity. Using microwave-enhanced coupling, the minimum detectable power of incident microwave is down to -128 dBm, and the corresponding sensitivity is estimated as 21 nV/cm/Hz1/2 at frequency of 3.80 GHz. Furthermore, beacon signal from geostationary satellites is captured with Rydberg sensors for the first time, without the need for a low-noise amplifier. And C-band modulated signals are read out with a signal-to-noise ratio of 8 dB. Our results mark a significant breakthrough in facilitating satellite communications using Rydberg-atom receivers.