A Low-Cost High-Throughput C-Band Communication System for CubeSats

Abstract

This paper presents the physical layer of a proprietary broadband communication system for CubeSats. The system operates in the C band (5.8 GHz), delivering at least 10 Mbps of the net user throughput. Operation at low elevation angles (and therefore low SNRs) and high Doppler shifts is made possible thanks to a sophisticated synchronization subsystem. The system can be adapted to propagation conditions experienced during a given visibility window by changing the signal bandwidth and coding rate. It is implemented using Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology. The system will be used in two missions that are scheduled for 2023 and 2024 and are planned in cooperation with the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” and SatRev S.A.