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Advances in Ka-Band Communication System for CubeSats and SmallSatsA study was performed that evaluated the feasibility of Ka-band communication system to provide CubeSat/SmallSat high rate science data downlink with ground antennas ranging from the small portable 1.2m/2.4m to apertures 5.4M, 7.3M, 11M, and 18M, for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Lunar CubeSat missions. This study included link analysis to determine the data rate requirement, based on the current TRL of Ka-band flight hardware and ground support infrastructure. Recent advances in Ka-band transceivers and antennas, options of portable ground stations, and various coverage distances were included in the analysis. The link/coverage analysis results show that Cubesat/Smallsat missions communication requirements including frequencies and data rates can be met by utilizing Near Earth Network (NEN) Ka-band support with 2 W and high gain (>6 dBi) antennas.
Document ID
20160010584
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kegege, Obadiah (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Wong, Yen F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Altunc, Serhat (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2016
Publication Date
June 24, 2016
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN33991
Meeting Information
Aerospace Systems Conference of the National Society of Black Engineers(Arlington, VA)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Spacecraft RF Communication

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