Description:
Cubesat Antenna System
Need:
CubeSat satellites by nature are small and require that all necessary systems a equally small and lightweight. CubeSats require a reliable antenna to transmit and receive telemetry to a ground station. The launch pod limits the size of the antenna, and anything that extends beyond the dimensions of a launch pod, such as a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (PPOD), requires that the antenna be stored. Engineers solve this issue by integrating a deployment mechanism to release the stored antenna. This incurs a large risk if the release mechanism does not function properly, and it could compromise the mission.
Solution:
The combination of the structural panels of a 1U cubesat and their air gaps can form a quadslot antenna. This type of antenna eliminates the need for a deployment mechanism and reduces the risk of a disconnection from the satellite. The electrical field constructs in an air gap at the corner of two panels, and when all four panels are powered the antenna emits a semi-omnidirectional radiation pattern similar to a dipole. Unlike a dipole, it can radiate up to 5dB of gain instead of 2.15dB. Another benefit to this antenna is its ability to have sensors and or solar cells on the panels without interfering with the radiation pattern. This is because each panel serves two electrical purposes: increasing the electrical length to reduce frequency and providing space for miscellaneous electrical hardware. Overall, this type of antenna provides the same capability as an L-dipole or patch antenna without sacrificing space, increasing cost, or cumulating more risk. The design allows for a variety of flexibility in frequency, bandwidth, physical size, or construction. This was designed and developed at California Polytechnic State University. Please reach out to Jim Dunning for more information.
Applications:
- CubeSat satellite communication systems
Advantages:
- Reduces complexity, cost and risk by eliminating need for mechanical deployment system
- More than double the gain of a dipole antenna system
- Allows other components to be installed on same structural panel
- Allows for a variety of flexibility in frequency, bandwidth, physical size, or construction
IP Status:
US 11,005,165 issued 05/11/2021
Licensing Status:
Available - please contact us at techtransfer@calpoly.edu for more information.