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An Optimum Space-to-Ground Communication Concept for CubeSat Platform Utilizing NASA Space Network and Near Earth NetworkNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) CubeSat missions are expected to grow rapidly in the next decade. Higher data rate CubeSats are transitioning away from Amateur Radio bands to higher frequency bands. A high-level communication architecture for future space-to-ground CubeSat communication was proposed within NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This architecture addresses CubeSat direct-to-ground communication, CubeSat to Tracking Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) communication, CubeSat constellation with Mothership direct-to-ground communication, and CubeSat Constellation with Mothership communication through K-Band Single Access (KSA).A Study has been performed to explore this communication architecture, through simulations, analyses, and identifying technologies, to develop the optimum communication concepts for CubeSat communications. This paper will present details of the simulation and analysis that include CubeSat swarm, daughter shipmother ship constellation, Near Earth Network (NEN) S and X-band direct to ground link, TDRS Multiple Access (MA) array vs Single Access mode, notional transceiverantenna configurations, ground asset configurations and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal trades for daughter mother CubeSat constellation inter-satellite crosslink. Results of Space Science X-band 10 MHz maximum achievable data rate study will be summarized. Assessment of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of current CubeSat communication technologies capabilities will be presented. Compatibility test of the CubeSat transceiver through NEN and Space Network (SN) will be discussed. Based on the analyses, signal trade studies and technology assessments, the functional design and performance requirements as well as operation concepts for future CubeSat end-to-end communications will be derived.
Document ID
20160010305
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Wong, Yen F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Kegege, Obadiah
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Schaire, Scott H.
(NASA Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Island, VA, United States)
Bussey, George
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Altunc, Serhat
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Zhang, Yuwen
(Harris Corp. Herndon, VA, United States)
Patel, Chitra
(Harris Corp. Herndon, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2016
Publication Date
August 6, 2016
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN34141
Meeting Information
Meeting: Small Satellite Conference 2016
Location: Logan, UT
Country: United States
Start Date: August 6, 2016
End Date: August 11, 2016
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Utah State Univ.
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG09DA01C
PROJECT: 453
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
CubeSat RF Communication
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