Novel deployable reflectarray antennas for CubeSat communications

doi:10.1109/MWSYM.2015.7167153

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Novel deployable reflectarray antennas for CubeSat communications

Proceedings Article•DOI•

Novel deployable reflectarray antennas for CubeSat communications

Richard Hodges¹, Daniel J. Hoppe¹, Matthew J. Radway¹, Nacer Chahat¹•Institutions (1)

California Institute of Technology¹

17 May 2015-pp 1-4

TL;DR: In this article, two novel high gain deployable reflectarray antennas to support CubeSat telecommunications are described and compared with other high gain CubeSat antenna technologies, and measured performance results are presented.

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Abstract: Two novel high gain deployable reflectarray antennas to support CubeSat telecommunications are described and compared with other high gain CubeSat antenna technologies. The first reflectarray is the Integrated Solar Array and Reflectarray Antenna (ISARA), a K/Ka-band antenna that also incorporates a dense packing of solar cells used to provide electrical power for the spacecraft. The second is an X-band reflectarray designed to provide a bent pipe telecom link. These reflectarrays are ideal for CubeSat applications because they require negligible stowed volume and impose a modest mass increase. The antenna designs and measured performance results are presented.

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Journal Article•DOI•

CubeSat Deployable Ka-Band Mesh Reflector Antenna Development for Earth Science Missions

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Nacer Chahat¹, Richard Hodges¹, Jonathan Sauder¹, Mark Thomson¹, Eva Peral¹, Yahya Rahmat-Samii² - Show less +2 more•Institutions (2)

California Institute of Technology¹, University of California, Los Angeles²

24 Mar 2016-IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

TL;DR: A novel mesh deployable Ka-band antenna design that folds in a 1.5 U stowage volume suitable for 6 U (10 × 20 × 30 cm3) class CubeSats is presented.

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Abstract: CubeSats are positioned to play a key role in Earth Science, wherein multiple copies of the same RADAR instrument are launched in desirable formations, allowing for the measurement of atmospheric processes over a short evolutionary timescale. To achieve this goal, such CubeSats require a high-gain antenna (HGA) that fits in a highly constrained volume. This paper presents a novel mesh deployable Ka-band antenna design that folds in a 1.5 U $(10\times 10 \times 15 \,\text{cm}^{3})$ stowage volume suitable for 6 U $(10\times 20 \times 30 \,\text{cm}^{3})$ class CubeSats. Considering all aspects of the deployable mesh reflector antenna including the feed, detailed simulations and measurements show that 42.6-dBi gain and 52% aperture efficiency is achievable at 35.75 GHz. The mechanical deployment mechanism and associated challenges are also described, as they are critical components of a deployable CubeSat antenna. Both solid and mesh prototype antennas have been developed and measurement results show excellent agreement with simulations.

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149 citations

Cites methods from "Novel deployable reflectarray anten..."

...N. Chahat, R. E. Hodges, J. Sauder, M. Thomson, and E. Peral are with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA (e-mail: nacer.e.chahat@jpl.nasa.gov)....
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...This option of using reflectarray antennas for CubeSat applications is currently under investigation at JPL [4]....
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...The RainCube mission, currently under development at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is a 6 U CubeSat precipitation RADAR [1], as illustrated in Fig....
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...Three deployable antenna technologies are currently under investigation for CubeSats: inflatable antennas [3], folded panel reflectarray antennas [4], and deployable mesh reflector antennas [5]–[7]....
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...Thanks to the simplification and miniaturization of radar subsystems, the RainCube project at JPL has developed a novel architecture that is compatible with the 6 U class or even larger....
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Journal Article•DOI•

A Deployable High-Gain Antenna Bound for Mars: Developing a new folded-panel reflectarray for the first CubeSat mission to Mars.

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Richard Hodges¹, Nacer Chahat¹, Daniel J. Hoppe¹, Joseph D. Vacchione¹•Institutions (1)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory¹

21 Feb 2017-IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the development of a deployable high gain antenna (HGA) for the proposed Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSat mission to Mars.

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Abstract: This article describes the development of a deployable high-gain antenna (HGA) for the proposed Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSat mission to Mars. The antenna is a new folded-panel reflectarray (FPR) designed to fit on a 6U (10 ? 20 ? 34 cm3) CubeSat bus and support 8.425-GHz Mars-to-Earth telecommunications. The FPR provides a gain of 29.2 dBic with right-hand circular polarization (RHCP). Small stowage volume is a key advantage of the FPR design, as it only consumes ~4% of the usable spacecraft payload volume with a mass of less than 1 kg.

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143 citations

Cites methods from "Novel deployable reflectarray anten..."

...The construction concept is similar to panels developed for ISARA [7]–[9]....
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...The MarCO antenna design is based on the FPR concept that was originally developed for the Integrated Solar Array and Reflectarray Antenna (ISARA) mission [7]–[9]....
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Journal Article•DOI•

Advanced Antennas for Small Satellites

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Steven Gao¹, Yahya Rahmat-Samii², Richard Hodges³, Xue-Xia Yang⁴•Institutions (4)

University of Kent¹, University of California, Los Angeles², California Institute of Technology³, Shanghai University⁴

27 Feb 2018

TL;DR: This paper presents a review of recent development in advanced antennas for small satellites (MiniSat, MicroSat, NanoSat, CubeSat, etc.) and shows a number of recent examples.

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Abstract: Antenna is one of the key components onboard small satellites as its design determines the performance of all the wireless systems including telemetry, tracking and control, high-speed data downlink, navigation, intersatellite communications, intrasatellite communications, wireless power transfer, radars and sensors, etc. This paper presents a review of recent development in advanced antennas for small satellites (MiniSat, MicroSat, NanoSat, CubeSat, etc.). A number of recent examples of antennas for small satellite applications are shown and discussed. A conclusion and future development in antennas for small satellites are given in the end.

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121 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

The Deep-Space Network Telecommunication CubeSat Antenna: Using the deployable Ka-band mesh reflector antenna.

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Nacer Chahat¹, Richard Hodges¹, Jonathan Sauder¹, Mark Thomson¹, Yahya Rahmat-Samii² - Show less +1 more•Institutions (2)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory¹, University of California, Los Angeles²

23 Feb 2017-IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine

TL;DR: An innovative, deployable Ka-band antenna that folds in a 1.5-U stowage volume suitable for 6U-class CubeSats is presented and the mechanical deployment mechanism is described because it is a critical component of the deployable Cube-Sat antenna.

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Abstract: In the near future, CubeSats will be deployed beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) to perform scientific tasks in deep space. To do so, these CubeSats will need high-gain antennas (HGAs) that fit in a highly confined volume. In this article, we present an innovative, deployable Ka-band antenna that folds in a 1.5-U (10 ? 10 ? 15 cm3) stowage volume suitable for 6U (10 ? 20 ? 30 cm3)-class CubeSats. This antenna is designed for telecommunication and is compatible with NASA's deep-space network (DSN) at Ka-band frequencies (i.e., uplink: 34.2-34.7 GHz; downlink: 31.8-32.3 GHz). Calculations and measurements show that 42.0-dBi gain and 57% aperture efficiency are obtained at 32 GHz. We thoroughly describe the mechanical deployment mechanism because it is a critical component of the deployable Cube-Sat antenna. This challenging new design evolved from our previous design that only provided linear polarization and a single-frequency band.

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70 citations

Cites background or methods from "Novel deployable reflectarray anten..."

...Although an inflatable antenna is unlikely to satisfy the required surface accuracy at Ka-band, the deployable reflectarray and mesh reflector were proven to be successful solutions [1], [2]....
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...Three deployable antenna technologies have been widely investigated: deployable reflectarray [1], inflatable [3], and deployable mesh reflector [2], [4], [5]....
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...0-dBi gain at X-band [1] or 42 dBi at Ka-band....
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...This system calls for HGAs that provide at least 28.0-dBi gain at X-band [1] or 42 dBi at Ka-band....
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...For instance, the first interplanetary CubeSat, Mars Cube One (MarCO), is planned for launch in 2018 alongside NASA’s InSight Mars lander mission [1]....
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Journal Article•DOI•

Antenna Designs for CubeSats: A Review

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Suhila Abulgasem¹, Faisel Tubbal¹, Raad Raad¹, Panagiotis Ioannis Theoharis¹, Sining Lu¹, Saeid Iranmanesh¹ - Show less +2 more•Institutions (1)

University of Wollongong¹

17 Mar 2021-IEEE Access

TL;DR: In this paper, a limited number of works have surveyed, compared and categorised the proposed antenna designs for CubeSats based on their operating frequency bands, e.g., VHF, UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku, K/Ka, W and mm/sub-mm wave antennas.

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Abstract: Cube Satellites, aka CubeSats, are a class of nano satellites that have gained popularity recently, especially for those that consider CubeSats as an emerging alternative to conventional satellites for space programs. This is because they are cost-effective, and they can be built using commercial off-the-shelf components. Moreover, CubeSats can communicate with each other in space and ground stations to carry out many functions such as remote sensing (e.g., land imaging, education), space research, wide area measurements and deep space communications. Consequently, communications between CubeSats and ground stations is critical. Any antenna design for a CubeSat needs to meet size and weight restrictions while yielding good antenna radiation performance. To date, a limited number of works have surveyed, compared and categorised the proposed antenna designs for CubeSats based on their operating frequency bands. To this end, this paper contributes to the literature by focusing on different antenna types with different operating frequency bands that are proposed for CubeSat applications. This paper reviews 48 antenna designs, which include 18 patch antennas, 5 slot antennas, 4 dipole and monopole antennas, 3 reflector antennas, 3 reflectarray antennas, 5 helical antennas, 2 metasurface antennas and 3 millimeter and sub-millimeter wave antennas. The current CubeSat antenna design challenges and design techniques to address these challenges are discussed. In addition, we classify these antennas according to their operating frequency bands, e.g., VHF, UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku, K/Ka, W and mm/sub-mm wave bands and provide an extensive qualitative comparison in terms of their size, −10 dB bandwidths, gains, reflection coefficients, and deployability. The suitability of different antenna types for different applications as well as the future trends for CubeSat antennas are also presented.

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66 citations

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Open Access

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The First One Hundred CubeSats: A Statistical Look

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Michael Swartwout

01 Dec 2013

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the on-orbit performance of CubeSats using data collected from a variety of sources, and show that the P-POD launch container, not the CubeSat specification, is the true enabling technology for this class of mission.

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Abstract: The concept of CubeSats was publicly proposed in 2000, with the first CubeSats launched in 2003. By the end of 2012, more than one hundred CubeSats have been launched, and 80 more are manifested for launches in 2013, with at least that many expected in 2014. Ten years ago, CubeSats were routinely dismissed by industry professionals as being too small to be worth flying; now, NASA is the majority launch broker, and a significant share of the manifests are filled by U.S. DoD-sponsored, industry-built CubeSat missions. How did initial perceptions of CubeSats evolve to this state? Are CubeSats toys, tools, or merely another source of orbital debris? With so many CubeSats now in orbit, it is now possible to make a data-based assessment of these missions. Using data collected from a variety of sources, this study evaluates the on-orbit performance of CubeSats. The history of CubeSat missions is reviewed, with the missions classified according to size, origin, mission life, and on-orbit performance. It is shown that several correctable design/implementation errors plague the university side of CubeSat missions, and that the P-POD launch container, not the CubeSat specification, is the true enabling technology for this class of mission. The First One Hundred CubeSats: A Statistical Look

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224 citations

"Novel deployable reflectarray anten..." refers background in this paper

...Current technology limits the size to -3-6 panels due to two factors: (1) tolerance accumulation of multiple hinged panels limits the size of a practical FPR, and (2) there is a practical limit to how thin one can make a panel and still meet flatness requirements, so stacking a large number of panels will consume CubeSat payload volume....
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...CubeSat HGA antenna technologies currently include (1) Microstrip patch arrays (MP A) mounted on the side of the spacecraft, (2) Parabolic retlector antennas (PRA) that stow inside the CubeSat, and (3) Folded panel retlectarrays (FPR) that stow on the sides of the spacecraft....
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Journal Article•DOI•

Inflatable antenna for cubesats: Motivation for development and antenna design

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Alessandra Babuscia¹, Benjamin Corbin¹, Mary Knapp¹, Rebecca Jensen-Clem², Mark Van de Loo¹, Sara Seager¹ - Show less +2 more•Institutions (2)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology¹, California Institute of Technology²

01 Oct 2013-Acta Astronautica

TL;DR: This study explores for the first time the possibility of developing an inflatable antenna for CubeSats in a way compatible with CubeSat dimensions and constraints, and designs the antenna which achieves the required performance metrics, while respecting the constraints imposed by CubeSat structure.

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68 citations

ISARA – Integrated Solar Array and Reflectarray Mission Overview

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Richard Hodges, Biren N. Shah, Dhack Muthulingham, Tony Freeman

01 Jan 2013

33 citations

Proceedings Article•DOI•

CubeSat deployable Ka-band reflector antenna for Deep Space missions

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Nacer Chahat¹, Jonathan Sauder¹, Mark Thomson¹, Richard Hodges¹, Yahya Rahmat-Samii² - Show less +1 more•Institutions (2)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory¹, University of California, Los Angeles²

19 Jul 2015

TL;DR: This paper introduces a 42.8 dBi gain deployable Ka-band antenna folding in a 1.5U stowage volume suitable for 3U and 6U class CubeSats.

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Abstract: While CubeSats have thus far been used exclusively in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), NASA is now investigating the possibility to deploy CubeSats beyond LEO to carry out scientific experiments in Deep Space. Such CubeSats require a high-gain antenna that fits in a constrained and limited volume. This paper introduces a 42.8 dBi gain deployable Ka-band antenna folding in a 1.5U stowage volume suitable for 3U and 6U class CubeSats.

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21 citations

"Novel deployable reflectarray anten..." refers background in this paper

...CubeSat HGA antenna technologies currently include (1) Microstrip patch arrays (MP A) mounted on the side of the spacecraft, (2) Parabolic retlector antennas (PRA) that stow inside the CubeSat, and (3) Folded panel retlectarrays (FPR) that stow on the sides of the spacecraft....
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