Design, Build and Test of a Low-Cost, High-Bandwidth X-Band Software-Defined Radio for Cubesats
Abstract
The objective of this research was to design, build, and test the next iteration of a low-cost, high-bandwidth X-band software-defined radio (SDR). The flight version of this iteration of the payload will be integrated into a commercially provided 6U bus to transmit and receive data, commands, and telemetry between the satellite and the MC3 network. The spacecraft reference design included two other payloads and used the Astro Digital Corvus-6 bus as the baseline for defining payload-bus-ground interfaces. This project utilized MATLAB Simulink to program the SDR. The SDR will primarily operate in the store-and-forward mode for transmissions when in line-of-sight of a ground station. The up/down convert board was designed, and manufacturing options were explored. Additionally, this project finalized the mechanical enclosure and bus interfaces. The payload aimed to maintain a 0.5U CubeSat form-factor and achieve a data rate of up to 10 Mbps with 1e-5 bit error rate. Following design and construction, the hardware and software components were subjected to functional end-to-end testing to evaluate performance. Further flight qualification will subject the payload to environmental testing to ensure survivability through launch and the expected low-Earth orbit environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1127142
Entities
People
- Logan T West
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School