Low-Profile Aperture-Coupled Patch Antenna Array for CubeSat Applications

Abstract

This paper presents the design, simulation, and measurement results of a dual aperture-coupled microstripline-fed antenna array with circular polarization at the C-band for small satellites applications. The antenna array was designed at a center frequency of 5.5 GHz, and it has a two-port isolation bandwidth of 25 MHz above 20 dB while the axial ratio is below 1 dB. The main objective is to produce a four-patch antenna array to be mounted on CubeSat deployable wings along with a layer of solar panels, maximizing the usable space and obtaining a better link budget for a standardized Cubesat of 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm. The orthogonal feedlines' isolation between Tx/Rx signals and a minimization of the multi-layer design provide a lower profile approach considering the state-of-the-art. The significant thickness reduction combined with a new perspective of having both deployable wings transmitting and receiving signals lead to a notable improvement of the overall system. This work is relevant due to the demand for high-performance antenna systems that may expand the capabilities of CubeSats, considering the importance of using an antenna array instead of a single element approach. INDEX TERMS Antenna array, circular polarization, CubeSats, small satellites. I. INTRODUCTION

Design of 4 × 4 Low-Profile Antenna Array for CubeSat Applications

“…On the other hand, there exist arrays for CubeSats with higher gains concerning the proposed design in this research. Nevertheless, these arrays are configured for higher frequencies, as shown in [ 30 , 39 , 40 ]. Some arrays even use more than two ports for MIMO systems in [ 39 , 41 ].…”

“…Nevertheless, these arrays are configured for higher frequencies, as shown in [ 30 , 39 , 40 ]. Some arrays even use more than two ports for MIMO systems in [ 39 , 41 ]. The interesting array in [ 42 ] obtains high gain with 256 antennas on a deployable technology that is larger than 10 cm.…”

Compact Leaky-Wave SIW Antenna With Broadside Radiation and Dual-Band Operation for CubeSats

“…Low-profile antennas using standard printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication techniques are also of interest for CubeSat integration due to the possibility of low-cost assembly, compatibility with other planar circuit systems, and also, because they typically need not require any mechanical deployment [8] - [10]. One such antenna presented in [11] used aperture coupled patches for solar cell integration.…”

Multi-band planar diplexers with sub-sets of frequency-contiguous transmission bands

“…see Table I in [3]), where the European Union is playing a major role through different projects promoted by the European Space Agency. In this scenario, the launching of large constellations of lightweight satellite units that may assure ubiquitous coverage will be essential, as fairly attested by the recent “nano/pico-satellite” and “CubeSat” revolution and related markets [4, 5]. On the other hand, due to the current saturation of the electromagnetic spectrum as a very scarce resource, it will be mandatory for these co-integrated 5G-and-beyond/satellite communications systems to operate in various non-contiguous regions of the radio spectrum in order to accommodate their high-data-rate necessities that may reach up to 100 Gb/s [6].…”