S-band Conformal Antenna Array for Cube Satellites

Paper ID : 1089-ICRSSSA-FULL

Authors

Haitham Medhat Akah *, Maha Maged NARSS

Abstract

Advances in technologies enable us to miniaturize electronics, this opened the road to the use of nanosatellites in place of much larger satellites (micro-satellites) in several applications such as remote sensing and Internet-of-Things (IoT). However, one of the key limitations is the limited available power which limits the RF power for communication links. To improving the RF link performance for such satellites non-isotropic antenna can be used to redirect the wasted radiated power into the needed link direction. Isoflux antennas are one of the most suitable antennas for satellites as they try to match the earth's curvature, which directs antenna gain in the directions with the longest path while reducing the gain in the short path directions. This paper proposed the design of an Isoflux conformal microstrip patch antenna array operating at S-band frequencies for nanosatellites. This antenna consists of an array of microstrip radiating elements, fed by a microstrip power division network, and will be fabricated on a flexible bent substrate that conform to the nanosatellite's surface and dimensions. The antenna has a gain of 2.82 dBi in the direction of the longest satellite-ground path. Which helps balance the satellite link budget and reduce the required RF power of the Cubesat. It is also easy to manufacture with lightweight materials, and high flexibility, and can be attached to any curved surface. This antenna is designed and simulated to be used for satellite downlink.

Keywords

array antenna, conformal antenna, nanosatellites, patch antenna.

Status: Accepted (Oral Presentation)