Designing the communication sub-system for nanosatellite CubeSat missions: Operational and implementation perspectives

Popescu, Otilia; Harris, Jason S.; Popescu, Dimitrie C.

doi:10.1109/secon.2016.7506756

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…where f c is the carrier frequency, φ is the elevation angle, v is the tangential speed of the satellite, and c is the speed of light [77]. More accurate representation of the frequency shift can be found in [78, (5)].…”

Section: A Cubesat-to-ground Communicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

CubeSat Communications: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

Saeed¹,

Elzanaty²,

Almorad³

et al. 2020

IEEE Commun. Surv. Tutorials

243

142

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Given the increasing number of space-related applications, research in the emerging space industry is becoming more and more attractive. One compelling area of current space research is the design of miniaturized satellites, known as Cube-Sats, which are enticing because of their numerous applications and low design-and-deployment cost. The new paradigm of connected space through CubeSats makes possible a wide range of applications, such as Earth remote sensing, space exploration, and rural connectivity. CubeSats further provide a complementary connectivity solution to the pervasive Internet of Things (IoT) networks, leading to a globally connected cyber-physical system. This paper presents a holistic overview of various aspects of CubeSat missions and provides a thorough review of the topic from both academic and industrial perspectives. We further present recent advances in the area of CubeSat communications, with an emphasis on constellation-and-coverage issues, channel modeling, modulation and coding, and networking. Finally, we identify several future research directions for CubeSat communications, including Internet of space things, low-power long-range networks, and machine learning for CubeSat resource allocation.

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Section: A Cubesat-to-ground Communicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

CubeSat Communications: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

Saeed¹,

Elzanaty²,

Almorad³

et al. 2020

IEEE Commun. Surv. Tutorials

243

142

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…However, this has created more demanding requirements for such small missions [1]. One of its key aspects includes the development of an efficient communication subsystem which can fulfill all these requirements [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modular Design of RF Front End for a Nanosatellite Communication Subsystem Tile Using Low-Cost Commercial Components

Ali

Mughal

et al. 2019

International Journal of Aerospace Engineering

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In recent years, the development market for low-cost nanosatellites has grown considerably. It has been made possible due to the availability of low-cost launch vectors and the use of “commercial off-the-shelf components” (COTS). The satellite design standardization has also helped a great deal to encourage subsystem reuse over a number of space missions. This has created numerous opportunities for small companies and universities to develop their own nanosatellite or satellite subsystems. Most COTS components are usually not space qualified. In order to make them work and withstand the harsh space environment, they need extra effort in circuit redesign and implementation. Also, by adopting the modularity concept and the design reuse method, the overall testing and nonrecurring development cost can be significantly reduced. This can also help minimize the subsystem testing times. The RF front-end design presented in this paper is also considered one of the better and feasible choices based on the above approach. It consists of an S-band transceiver that is fully implemented using COTS components. In the transmit chain, it is comprised of the transmitting CC2510 RF matching network and a power amplifier (PA) with an RF output power of up to 33 dBm which connects to an antenna using two RF switches. The receive chain starts from the antenna that is connected through two RF switches to the low-noise amplifier (LNA) that further connects to the receiving CC2510 via the RF matching network. The receiver sensitivity is -100 dBm. This is a half-duplex system using the same antenna for transmitting and receiving. The receiver and transmitter chains are isolated together using two RF switches which together provide an isolation of up to 90 dB at 2.4 GHz. The concept behind using two RF switches is to provide better isolation from the transmit chain to the LNA. The matching network of CC2510 has been designed in a symmetric fashion to avoid any delays. All the RF COTS used have been selected according to link budget requirements. The LNA, PA, and RF switches were tested individually for compliance. The passive components used in the overall design of the matching network are chosen on the basis of minimum dimension, least parasitic behaviour, and guaranteed optimum RF matching. Also, the RF COTS used are non-CMOS which makes them more robust against space radiations associated with the LEO environment and enables them to provide a radio communication data rate of up to 500 kbps in both uplink and downlink. The vacant spaces on the implemented PCB are shielded with a partial ground plane to avoid RF interference.

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“…For practical communication purposes, the minimum elevation angle is typically greater than 5º. The elevation angle typically ranges from 10º to 90º as the satellite rises above the horizon to directly above the ground station [2]. The lower receiving antenna elevation angle during satellite passes will increase the free space loss [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Validation of an Adaptive Cubesat Transmitter System using a Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC)

Jaswar¹,

Rahman²,

Ahmad³

2019

IJRTE

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CubeSat in a low earth orbit primarily uses a UHF transmitter with a fixed RF output power. In this paper, the design of the CubeSat transmitter with adaptive power control ability is presented. The design drive is to optimise the SNR and overcome the variability of the propagation path length due to different ground station elevation angles by adjusting its transmitting power. The TVAC test is conducted to validate the performance of the adaptive function in the transmitter. The TVAC is used to emulate the satellite condition in an outer space environment. Four thermal cycles starting from +60°C to -20°C with less than 10-5Pa pressure condition are employed, which was conducted at the KIT CeNT, Japan. The transmitter was integrated inside the satellite structure as a complete CubeSat system. The output power of the transmitter is tested from 0.5W to 2W based on the proposed satellite adaptive mode. The frequency stability of the transmitter is monitored and complies with an average of 70% below requirement, which is less than 2ppm. The results indicate that the RF output power is adjustable to operate as the proposed CubeSat adaptive transmitter in a thermal vacuum condition, which was first developed in Malaysia.

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Designing the communication sub-system for nanosatellite CubeSat missions: Operational and implementation perspectives

Cited by 15 publications

References 16 publications

CubeSat Communications: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

CubeSat Communications: Recent Advances and Future Challenges

Modular Design of RF Front End for a Nanosatellite Communication Subsystem Tile Using Low-Cost Commercial Components

Design and Validation of an Adaptive Cubesat Transmitter System using a Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVAC)

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