Low Profile UHF Antenna Design for Low Earth-Observation CubeSats

Abstract

This paper reveals a new design of UHF CubeSat antenna based on a modified Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) for CubeSat communication. The design utilizes a CubeSat face as the ground plane. There is a gap of 5 mm beneath the radiating element that facilitates the design providing with space for solar panels. The prototype is fabricated using Aluminum metal sheet and measured. The antenna achieved resonance at 419 MHz. Response of the antenna has been investigated after placing a solar panel. Lossy properties of solar panels made the resonance shift about 20 MHz. This design addresses the frequency shifting issue after placing the antenna with the CubeSat body. This phenomenon has been analyzed considering a typical 1U and 2U CubeSat body with the antenna. The antenna achieved a positive realized gain of 0.7 dB and approximately 78% of efficiency at the resonant frequency with providing 85% of open space for solar irradiance onto the solar panel.