Solar-Panel Integrated Circularly Polarized Meshed Patch for Cubesats and Other Small Satellites

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a circularly polarized (CP) meshed patch antenna fully integrated within a solar panel for operation on CubeSats and other microsatellites. The structure has been designed to ensure optimal antenna performance at S-band as well as to minimize any shadowing effects that can reduce the received power at the solar cells. To generate CP, the antenna is driven by two orthogonal feed points, penetrating through a transparent borosilicate glass layer, as well as a silicon and PCB substrate. Simulated and measured performances, on both a preliminary FR4 design and a fully integrated prototype, demonstrate a good impedance bandwidth, satisfactorily axial ratio, as well as stable radiation patterns and minimum shadowing levels. The proposed antenna can be useful for communications between satellites as well as with the ground station, and since the structure is compact and completely integrated, the design can be an alternative approach to new-phased arrays on solar panels and other beam-steering systems.

Transparent Antenna for Green Communication Feature: A Systematic Review on Taxonomy Analysis, Open Challenges, Motivations, Future Directions and Recommendations

“…These include Array Antennas using a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrates with aperture-coupled microstrip patch (ACMP) antennas for Ka-band [78] , or using a extruded acrylic material for satellite communications [79] , or using a DRA transmit array for 12 GHz usages [80] . and transparent antenna can be a Mesh antennas using a Borosilicate glass with solar cell ground plane for multifunctional solar antenna devices [67], or using a Fire Retardant-4 (FR4) for cube satellites (CubeSats) and Other Small Satellites application [11], or using a Roger's RO4003C laminate for antenna arrays application [81]. Other antennas, transparent antenna or antenna integrated with solar cell can be using a Rogers RT/duroid 5870 for a cubesat applications [82] , or using a Rogers RT/duroid 5880 for solar cell or harvesting system [83] and using a protective textile foam as a substrate with conductive textile materials for solar cell or harvesting system [84].…”

“…A major challenge in small satellite is to fully utilize its limited surface area. Transparent antennas are generally created to maximize the solar panel surface area, which is vital for efficient harvesting of solar power and the space vehicle will be able to operate for a long term [11,80]. The last challenge category is (5) integrating solar cells, antennas, and other elements deployed in limited space, such as CubeSats or even smaller satellites.…”

“…These materials are typically used mostly in applications where optical clarity is desired since the material (visible speed clarity) is required to be seen readily by a person and the conductivity needs are limited, since most applications are low frequency [8]. However, Development of multimodal data mergers [9], [10], The growth in CubeSats [11][12][13] , and The beginning of a drone [14,15] have, Pressure on sensor developers, among other improvements, to improve payload efficiency while reducing scale, weight, and power (SWaP). High efficiency optically translucent drivers known as antennas can be used for single-aperture lidar-radar fusion for autonomous vehicle navigation.…”

Compact Slot Antenna Integrated with a Photovoltaic Cell

“…An effective approach is stacking or overlying to reduce the size and weight. The challenge in this approach is to increase sunlight exposure when the antenna is placed on top of the photovoltaic cell [1][2][3][4].…”

“…Several techniques, such as the use of a mesh antenna [2,3] and transparent material [5], have been employed to increase sunlight exposure. Usually, when the antenna and photovoltaic cell are integrated, they are independent of each other [6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”