Communication to a spinning CubeSat using a two‐mode planar circular array

Abstract

This Letter presents a novel technique for establishing a robust communication link to a spinning un-stabilised small satellite such as a CubeSat. The authors propose a system that involves a multimode excited planar circular array radio combined with a 360° phase shifter that can electronically track the spinning CubeSat antenna and establish a communication link. The transmitter comprises a mode-generating Rotman lens and a circular array of microstrip patch antennas. The authors’ proposed approach combines two spatially orthogonal modes of the circular array. They first present the system architecture, then they design and realise a proof-of-concept experimentally validated module operating in C-band at 5.8 GHz.