CubeSat Deployable Antenna for Ground-to-Space Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground-to-space short-burst data communications require large satellites and high-powered ground transmitters, making them economically unfeasible for markets with terrestrial communication services, and small satellites like CubeSats lack the necessary equipment and power for consistent data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The use of small satellites, such as CubeSats, equipped with deployable phased array antennas and software-defined radios, along with ground transmitters and downlink receivers, to facilitate efficient ground-to-space short-burst data communications in low Earth orbit, enabling remote monitoring and tracking of assets without traditional internet connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large satellites are used for ground-to-space short-burst data communications, then data transmission capability is improved, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs deployable solar arrays and deployable antennas that transition from a compact stowed configuration during launch to a deployed operational configuration in orbit. This dynamic transformation allows the satellite to achieve large effective aperture and high data transmission capability only when needed, while maintaining a small form factor during launch, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission capability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite integrates multiple subsystems in a nested manner within a compact bus structure. The solar arrays and antennas are stowed within or alongside the satellite body during launch, then deployed to their full operational sizes in orbit. This nesting approach allows the system to achieve large effective size for data transmission while maintaining small launch mass and complexity.
2Reliability
If large satellites with high-powered transmitters are deployed, then communication reliability is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite is designed to perform short-burst data communications rather than continuous transmission. Data is accumulated in onboard storage during periods when the satellite is in view of ground stations, then transmitted in periodic bursts during optimal orbital passes. This periodic operation mode achieves reliable data delivery while minimizing power consumption and operational costs compared to continuous high-powered transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite autonomously manages its own operations including data buffering, transmission scheduling, and power management. The onboard computer automatically determines when to transmit data based on orbital position and ground station availability, eliminating the need for complex ground-based scheduling systems and reducing overall system operational costs while maintaining reliable communication.
3Quantity of substance
If CubeSats are used to reduce cost, then operational cost is reduced, but data transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The CubeSat employs deployable solar arrays that expand the power-generating surface area after launch, and deployable antennas that increase the communication aperture. These dynamic deployments allow the small CubeSat to achieve transmission capabilities comparable to much larger traditional satellites, thus improving data transmission capability without increasing launch cost or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite utilizes high-frequency bands (Ka-band or higher) for communication, which allow for higher data rates with smaller antenna apertures compared to traditional lower frequencies. This parameter change in operating frequency enables the CubeSat to achieve high data transmission capability with a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between low cost and high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system comprises one or more small satellites (e.g., CubeSats), one or more ground transmitters, and one or more downlink receivers to facilitate ground-to-space short-burst data communications. The CubeSats are miniaturized or small-form satellites that orbit the Earth transmitting data to and from the ground transmitters and the downlink receivers in low Earth orbit. To efficiently use its surface area, in various embodiments, the CubeSats are designed with deployable and folding wings such that the zenith-pointing side of the wings comprises solar panels and the nadir-pointing side of the wings comprises an antenna. In various embodiments, to increase the data transmission capacity of the CubeSats, the CubeSats comprise a deployable phased array antenna and a software defined radio.