A Video Downlink from Proxima Centauri b

Abstract

This note examines the data rates that could be achieved between Earth and a technological civilization on the planet Proxima Centauri b if both civilizations constructed dedicated radio terminals using technologies available today. A reference X-band system using approximately 300 m apertures, megawatt-class transmitter power, low-noise receivers, and modern error-correcting codes is evaluated. The resulting link could support useful compressed video across 4.24 light-years. The analysis is then generalized to define a roughly 19-light-year “video horizon” and to explore, as an extrapolation, the requirements for communication across Galactic distances.