Compact Isoflux X-Band Payload Telemetry Antenna With Simultaneous Dual Circular Polarization for LEO Satellite Applications

Abstract

This paper describes a compact isoflux X-band payload telemetry and data handling antenna with simultaneous dual circular polarization for Low Earth Orbits (LEO) satellite applications. The main objective of this antenna is to use polarization diversity to improve the efficiency of the payload telemetry link. Some solutions have already been proposed to that end, but the studied antenna combines both good electromagnetic performances and compactness. This high power capability waveguide antenna presents an axial ratio (AR) lower than 2.5 dB over the 8.025-8.4 GHz frequency band at the limit of coverage, i.e. 65°, for any azimuth angle (φ). It has been designed, realized and successfully measured.

Metal Additive Manufacturing for Satellites and Rockets

“…An antenna for low-Earth orbit microsatellites, produced by electron beam melting, was reported by Arnaud et al [40]. Similarly, metasurface antennas especially for CubeSats and SmallSats were built by metal additive manufacturing combined with CNC milling [41].…”

X‐band dual‐band horn antenna with isoflux pattern for deep‐space applications

“…[7][8][9] Horn antennas, on the other hand, have been deployed in a variety of applications to provide isoflux radiation patterns, offering high-power handling ability and sharper cutoff radiation patterns. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Despite the prevalence of papers on the isoflux horn antenna in the open literature, most of them focus on data downlink antennas operating within the 8000 and 8400 MHz frequency band, with a maximum beam point direction at 50°-65°, and a peak gain in the range of approximately 4-5 dBi for LEO satellites. Regrettably, none of them appear to meet the requirements of the TW-2 mission.…”

“…While sufficient radiation elements can lead to better pattern performance, it is accompanied by the hurdle of a complex beamforming network 7–9 . Horn antennas, on the other hand, have been deployed in a variety of applications to provide isoflux radiation patterns, offering high‐power handling ability and sharper cutoff radiation patterns 10–17 . Despite the prevalence of papers on the isoflux horn antenna in the open literature, most of them focus on data downlink antennas operating within the 8000 and 8400 MHz frequency band, with a maximum beam point direction at 50°–65°, and a peak gain in the range of approximately 4–5 dBi for LEO satellites.…”

Characteristic Modes Analysis of a Near-Field Polarization-Conversion Metasurface for the Design of a Wideband Circularly Polarized X-Band Antenna

“…CMT has also been adopted for the design of CP MTSs as described in [35]- [37]. Most of these designs operates in the S and C bands but satellite applications are also very active in the X-band where adopted solutions often rely on structures such as horns or reflectarray [38]- [40].…”