Design of COTS-Based Radio-Frequency Receiver for Cubesat Applications

Lovascio, A.; D’Orazio, A.; Centonze, V.

doi:10.1109/metroaerospace.2019.8869647

Cited by 5 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The innovative element is in using RF test points, simple COTS connectors, not only to guarantee the functional performance of the receiver, but also to enhance the reliability of a device intended to be used in very severe environments. The method extends and improves the analytic approach reported in the conference paper [17] since it allows to complete the system model so that the results' accuracy is improved. The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is made of eight layers, using a 0.254 mm RO4350B substrate as dielectric core for the top and bottom layers and RO4450B substrates for the prepreg inner layers.…”

Section: The Methods Extensionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…In conference paper [17], we focused on the modelling aspects of the system. The receiver model was made considering not only the nominal functional performance but also the performance in the worst-case.…”

Section: The Methods Extensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The board-level tests have allowed to verify the functional performance of the whole receiver from the electrical point of view, i.e., to verify its compliance with the high-level requirements defined in [17]: The verification of these requirements needs a test setup that links the instrumentation to the main external interfaces of the receiver, i.e., the coaxial ports RF, IF, Local Oscillator (LO), and the access points for the power supply voltages. The board-level test requires that the whole board is switched on, so that all amplifiers allow the passage of the signal from the input (the RF) up to the output (the IF).…”

Section: Board-level Test Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The starting idea was to design a completely custom device with a high performance and high reliability using only COTS components, even without having information regarding their behavior under radiation. Such design requirement has been addressed from a purely analytical point of view in our original work, presented at the Metrology for Aerospace 2019 conference [17]. This article is an extension of that work, where the same design requirement has been addressed from an experimental point of view, i.e., through the adoption of an innovative technique based on the use of RF test points.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The term "COTS" is also related to the test facilities [10,11] and electrical ground support equipment [1,12]. Finally, the COTS-based design has been even adopted for RF systems [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. They include navigation systems [13,14], transmission data systems for deep-space and remote-sensing applications [15,16], and modules for communication with the earth [2,[17][18][19][20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of a COTS-Based RF Receiver for Cubesat Applications

Lovascio

D’Orazio

Centonze

2020

Sensors

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This paper reports the experimental results of a test campaign performed on the radio-frequency (RF) receiver prototype operating at a 2025–2110 MHz frequency range, designed and fabricated for CubeSat applications. The prototype has been tested through a board-level test approach for the verification of the functional requirements and a component-level one for specific characterization measures. The tests have shown the following results: a −115–−70 dBm sensitivity range, 390 MHz intermediate frequency, a 0 dBm output power level with ±1 dB error, a 2.34 dB noise figure, and a 4.86 W power absorption. Such results have been largely achieved implementing an automatic gain control system by cascading two Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) amplifiers. Moreover, an innovative technique based on RF test points has been successfully experimented and validated to measure the S-parameters of a custom low-pass filter integrated on the receiver, showing the possibility of even characterizing the single COTS components exposed to radiation through a unique board-level test setup. The technique may have a great impact on the cost reduction of electronic boards for space applications, since it would avoid using expensive evaluation boards for each COTS component that needs a radiation test.

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Section: The Methods Extensionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: The Methods Extensionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Board-level Test Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterization of a COTS-Based RF Receiver for Cubesat Applications

Lovascio

D’Orazio

Centonze

2020

Sensors

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Architectures and Synchronization Techniques for Distributed Satellite Systems: A Survey

et al. 2022

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Cohesive Distributed Satellite Systems (CDSSs) is a key enabling technology for the future of remote sensing and communication missions. However, they have to meet strict synchronization requirements before their use is generalized. When clock or local oscillator signals are generated locally at each of the distributed nodes, achieving exact synchronization in absolute phase, frequency, and time is a complex problem. In addition, satellite systems have significant resource constraints, especially for small satellites, which are envisioned to be part of the future CDSSs. Thus, the development of precise, robust, and resource-efficient synchronization techniques is essential for the advancement of future CDSSs. In this context, this survey aims to summarize and categorize the most relevant results on synchronization techniques for Distributed Satellite Systems (DSSs). First, some important architecture and system concepts are defined. Then, the synchronization methods reported in the literature are reviewed and categorized. This article also provides an extensive list of applications and examples of synchronization techniques for DSSs in addition to the most significant advances in other operations closely related to synchronization, such as inter-satellite ranging and relative position. The survey also provides a discussion on emerging data-driven synchronization techniques based on Machine Learning (ML). Finally, a compilation of current research activities and potential research topics is proposed, identifying problems and open challenges that can be useful for researchers in the field.

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