Antenna Design for Cubesats

A CubeSat is a miniaturized modular satellite that can be constructed from off-the-shelf components. With advancements in digital signal processing, power electronics, and packaging technology, it is feasible to fit science instruments and communication devices that were traditionally carried on larger satellites on CubeSat consolations. This not only reduces mission cost, repair, risk, but also provides more precise and real-time science data. Their low cost and versatility allow for CubeSats to be used to test technologies that are planned to use on larger satellites, to collect point-to-point data in space when launched as CubeSat constellations, or to monitor health of larger spacecrafts. This comprehensive reference explores CubeSat standards, launching methods, and detailed design guidelines for antennas specially made for CubeSat applications. Deployed CubeSat antennas, such as low gain antennas, high gain wire-based antennas, and horn and dish antennas as they relate to the technology are explored. Conformal CubeSat Antennas, including those that are independent of CubeSats and those integrated in CubeSat solar panels, are discussed. An antenna design guideline is provided to demonstrate the basics of a CubeSat link budget, which is transitionally published in signal and system community. Written by an expert in the field, this book enables readers to read antenna specifics when choosing communication front-end Antenna Design for CubeSats Contents Preface References Acknowledgments References Chapter 1 Orbits and Small Satellites 1.1 Satellites and Orbits 1.1.1 LEO 1.1.2 Polar Orbit and Sun-Synchronous Orbit 1.1.3 Medium Earth Orbit 1.1.4 HEO 1.1.5 Geosynchronous Orbit 1.1.6 Geostationary Orbit and Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit 1.2 Classification of Satellites 1.3 Small Satellite Architecture and Advantage 1.4 Technical Challenges 1.5 Small Satellite Development History and Resources References Chapter 2 CubeSats: From Concept to Orbit 2.1 Overview and Terminology 2.1.1 Introduction 2.1.2 Terminology 2.2 Typical CubeSat Missions, Dispensers, Launch Vehicle, and Deployment 2.2.1 Examples of CubeSat Missions 2.2.2 Dispensers 2.2.3 Launch Vehicle 2.2.4 CubeSat Deployment 2.3 CubeSat Mission Development 2.3.1 CubeSat Architecture and Key Components 2.3.2 From Concept to Launch: A Brief Process Overview 2.3.3 Documentation and Testing Procedures or Reports 2.3.4 Points of Interest for RF Engineers: Licensing, Antennas, and Ground Station 2.4 List of Resources 2.4.1 Documents and Sites 2.4.2 CubeSat Launch Programs and Lists 2.4.3 Conferences and Journals 2.5 Summary with a Rocket Launch Example References Chapter 3 Overview of CubeSat Antennas: Design Considerations, Categories, and Link Budget Development 3.1 Functions and Basics of CubeSat Antennas 3.2 Factors to Be Considered and Analyze 3.2.1 Requirements for CubeSat Antennas 3.2.2 Special Considerations Due to Space Environment 3.2.3 Considerations Due to CubeSat Structure 3.2.4 CubeSat Pointing and Orientation 3.2.5 Link and Power Budgets 3.3 Categorization of CubeSat Antennas 3.3.1 In Terms of Deployment 3.3.2 In Terms of Gain 3.4 CubeSat Link Budget: Elements, Calcu 3.4.1 Overview of CubeSat Link Budget 3.4.2 The Basic Elements of a Link Budge 3.4.3 CubeSat Link Budget Examples 3.5 Summary 3.6 Resources References Chapter 4 Traditional CubeSat Antennas 4.1 Coupling Between the Antenna and CubeSat 4.2 Dipole and Monopole Antennas 4.2.1 Design Procedure 4.2.2 Tape Measure Antennas 4.3 Helical Antenna 4.4 Quadrifilar Helix Antenna 4.4.1 Basic Terms 4.4.2 Characteristics of Quadrifilar Ant 4.4.3 Application Notes 4.5 Microstrip Patch Antenna 4.5.1 Geometry, Cavity Model, and Domina 4.5.2 Design Parameters 4.5.3 Circular Polarization 4.5.4 Feeding Methods, Array, and Consid 4.6 Horn Antennas References Chapter 5 Conformal Integration of Antennas with CubeSat Solar Panels 5.1 Factors to Be Studied 5.2 Typical Solar Panel Assembly, Commercial Space- Certified Solar Cells, and Types of Integration 5.3 Antennas Placed Under Solar Cells 5.3.1 Design Philosophy 5.3.2 Interaction Between Solar Cells and Antennas 5.4 Antennas Placed Integrated Around Solar Cells 5.4.1 Two Design Examples 5.4.2 Solar Cell Integration and Measurements 5.5 Antennas Placed Integrated on Top of Solar Cells 5.5.1 Antennas Designed From Transparent Conductors 5.5.2 Meshed Patch Antennas 5.6 Effect of Solar Cells on the Antennas Integrated on Top of Them 5.6.1 Lossy Photovoltaic Layer 5.6.2 Effect of the Electrodes 5.6.3 The Effect of an Adhesive Layer 5.6.4 Effect of the Solar Panel Geometry, Orientation of Integrated Antennas, and Working Status of Solar Cells 5.6.5 The Effect of the Antenna on the Solar Panel 5.6.6 Summary: Numbers for the Link Budget 5.7 Conformal UHF Antennas 5.7.1 Design Philosophy and Parameters 5.7.2 Fabrication and Assembly 5.7.3 Results and Discussions 5.7.4 Measurement Setup, Results, and Summary 5.8 Summary, Design Flow, and Practical Considerations References Chapter 6 High Gain Antennas for CubeSats and Emerging Solutions 6.1 Overview and Comparisons of Reflectarray, and Phased Array Antennas 6.2 Reflectarray Fundamentals 6.2.1 Design Equation and Phase-Length Curve 6.2.2 Analysis Method 6.2.3 Efficiencies 6.2.4 Subwavelength Reflectarray 6.2.5 Different Element Geometry: Circular Polarizat 6.2.6 Design Procedure for Implementation on CubeSats 6.3 RainCube Antenna: A Deployable Parabolic Mesh Reflector 6.4 Reflectarray Integrated Under the Solar Panel 6.5 Transparent Reflectarray Integrated on Top of Solar Panel 6.6 Phased Array Antenna 6.7 Emerging and Future CubeSat Antennas References About the Author Index