Satellite Communications

Abstract

Satellite Communications Research Program Craig Kief Abstract The University of New Mexico (UNM) proposes to perform extended research related to the use of low-power, high-performance radio systems for achieving high data rate spacecraft communications. There are a wide variety of new satellite missions and components that are being created based on a new class of satellites called CubeSats. These CubeSats are often flown in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and are usually less than 5 kilograms in mass. Their low size, mass and limited lifetime will mean that, often, inexpensive commercial electronics can be utilized for flight. COSMIAC is developing two CubeSats for delivery to NASA in 2013/2014 and all of this proposed research will build upon lessons learned from these two satellites and will involve testing and characterization of existing radio systems. The project will be led by the researchers at the Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center (COSMIAC) at UNM. COSMIAC is a Tier-2 research center at UNM that is devoted to the use of microprocessors, communications radios, and microcontrollers in education, training and in LEO satellite development. We will use the provided funds to complete three major research goals: 1. Explore a variety of radio and ground station systems from different vendors for robustness. 2. Develop test frames and platforms for use in testing the radios. 3. Publish results.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jul 19, 2016
Source ID
FA94531610039

Entities

People

  • Craig Kief

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory
  • United States Air Force
  • University of New Mexico

Tags

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites