S-Band Communication for Nano- and Pico Satellites for Cross Platform Compatibility

Paper number

IAC-08.B4.7.12

Author

Prof. Klaus Briess, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Rozbeh Alavi, Technical University of Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Klaus Jaeckel, IQ-Wireless GmbH, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Holger Podolski, IQ wireless GmbH, Germany

Year

2008

Abstract

Small satellite missions are characterized by different and dedicated mission objectives and high cost efficiency. In the near future satellites with a total mass between ca. 1 and 10kg, the so called nano and pico satellites, will play an important role by tackling different questions in the areas of environmental monitoring, disaster monitoring, mobility, inspection or extraterrestrial and planetary science. Nano and pico satellites can supplement existing or planned missions to increase the observation time of a certain target with selected instruments or to find new fields of application. Nano and pico satellites with different payloads can be combined to satellite clusters and swarms for the observation of a target in a defined sequence or simultaneously. 
For the utilization of these new opportunities by the user segment on ground a high performance data channel to the ground are necessary. Basic constraints for the development of a high bit-rate data channel between satellite and ground consist in the minimum use satellite resources like mass, volume, power consumption, number of connectors and in a plug and play configuration for implementation of different platforms. Mainly because of these constraints the state of the art in pico satellite communication technology is characterized by use of the UHF frequency band and a maximum data rate of 9.6 kbps. 
To overcome this limitation the authors have developed a high integrated S-band transmitter suitable for different nano and pico satellites related to mass, size, power consumption and other parameters with a maximum data rate of 1 Mbps. To keep the power consumption low (5W peak power) for a application in a Lower Earth Orbit special channel coding principles like convolution codes and Turbo codes are investigated and implemented. A coding gain of 4 to 5dB are used in combination with a directed antenna to keep the radiated power low. The new transmitter is complete space qualified for the integration in a pico satellite platform.
The new transmitter technology makes new opportunities in satellite formation flying and swarm applications feasible. Because of the easy implementation on different small satellite platforms the transmission system allows cross plattform compatibility. The exchange of large data volumes from different satellites in formation to gound will be possible.

Abstract document

IAC-08.B4.7.12.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.B4.7.12.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.