Simulation of Heterodyne Signal for Science Interferometers of Space-Borne Gravitational Wave Detector and Evaluation of Phase Measurement Noise

Interferometric signals in space-borne Gravitational Wave Detectors are measured by digital phasemeters. The phasemeter processes signals generated by multiple interferometers, with its primary function being micro-radian level phase measurements. The Science Interferometer is responsible for inter-spacecraft measurements, including relative ranging, absolute ranging, laser communication, and clock noise transfer. Since the scientific interferometer incorporates multiple functions and various signals are simultaneously coupled into the heterodyne signal, establishing a suitable evaluation environment is a crucial foundation for achieving micro-radian level phase measurement during ground testing and verification. This paper evaluates the phase measurement noise of the science interferometer by simulating the heterodyne signal and establishing a test environment. The experimental results show that when the simulated heterodyne signal contains the main beat-note, upper and lower sideband beat-notes, and PRN modulation simultaneously, the phase measurement noise of the main beat-note, upper and lower sideband beat-notes all reach 2π μrad/Hz1/2@(0.1 mHz–1 Hz), meeting the requirements of the space gravitational wave detection mission. An experimental verification platform and performance reference benchmark have been established for subsequent research on the impact of specific noise on phase measurement performance and noise suppression methods.