Paper Category: RF Engineering
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ALIGN Mission: Radio Intersatellite Link Feasibility Demonstration for Hybrid Free-Space Optical Communications
The ALIGN (Autonomous Laser-based Intersatellite Gigabit Network) mission comprises a pair of 6U CubeSats equipped with FOCUS (Free-space Optical Communications Unit for Space), an experimental payload demonstrating high-data-rate optical intersatellite links in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and advanced hybrid optical/radio intersatellite communications. Each satellite implements a dual RF-link architecture: the Radio Ground-to-Satellite Link (RGSL) for…
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Low SWaP Flight Board for High-Speed On-Board Data Handling, Processing and AI Inference
The continuous increase in payload data volume and mission autonomy requirements is driving the need for increasingly advanced on-board data handling and processing technologies in satellite systems. In particular, next-generation Earth observation, telecommunications, and distributed space architectures require high-performance processing capabilities to enable real-time data reduction, intelligent decision-making, and efficient use of downlink resources. Within…
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UDAN: A Compact Deployable UHF Antenna Enabling High-Gain Links for CubeSats
The miniaturization of satellite platforms has imposed severe constraints on antenna systems, particularly for UHF links requiring high gain and polarization robustness. To address these challenges, this contribution introduces UDAN, a deployable UHF antenna concept designed to significantly enhance communication capabilities of CubeSats and other small spacecraft while remaining compliant with standard launch and deployment…
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Design, prototyping and mechanical testing of a trifilar deployable helix antenna for CubeSat applications
Deployable helical antennas are often used in space in the VHF and UHF transmission bands because they provide high gain, large bandwidth, and high directivity with circular polarization while maintaining relatively low fabrication complexity. Usually, these deployable antennas are composed of a main foldable, non-conducting isolated structure which acts as the helicoid support for the…
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Link-Budget Analysis of Dynamic Impairments on E-/W-Band High Through-Put Feeder Links for Future VLEO Small Satellites
Very low earth orbit (VLEO) presents unique challenges for satellite-to-ground communication because of higher orbital velocity, reduced contact times, and rapidly changing link geometry. However, VLEO offers advantages such as reduced latency, improved spatial resolution, and enhanced link margins for small satellites and earth observation. Maximizing transmitted data during each shortened overpass in VLEO using…