Carleton CuSAT Project

Communications Subsystem
Fall Presentation – 2017/12/01

Austin, Begz, Riley, Oussama

 Agenda

 Link Budget and Modulation – Begz

 Antenna Deployment Mechanism - Riley
 Antenna Feed Network Transitions- Austin
 Antenna Feed Network Circuit - Oussama

2017-12-01 Begz 2
Link Budget and Modulation
By: Begz

DD-MM-YY Begz 3
 Objective

 Send and receive information

 Payload Data (bit map)
 Housekeeping data
 Command from ground station
 CubeSat Tracking (position)

2017-12-01 Begz
Begzsuren Altankhuyag 4
 Overview of Communication Link

Figure 1: Link between transmitter and receiver

2017-12-01 Begz 5
 Overview of Communication Link

Figure 2: Transmitter block diagram

Figure 3: Receiver antenna block diagram

2017-12-01 Begz 6
 Requirements
 The CubeSat shall transmit and receive within 420 to
450 MHz frequency range
 The CubeSat shall transmit data rate of up to 9600
bit/s to the ground station
 The CubeSat shall receive data rate of at least 1200
bit/s
 The link margin must be +3 dB, minimum, to maintain
a stable link

2017-12-01 Begz 7
 Link Budget
 Essential tool to design the communication system
 To maintain stable link between ground station and satellite
 Determine required elements such as:
 Antenna gain
 Transmitter power
 Receiver amplifier
 It could also set additional requirements to the design

2017-12-01 Begz 8
 Link Budget Example
Table 1: Downlink link budget example
Parameter Value dB
Altitude (km) 400 N/A
Downlink Frequency (MHz) 435 N/A
Δ Frequency (For FSK) (Hz) 5000 N/A
Ground Station Elevation (deg) 10 N/A
Data Rate (Bit/s) 9600 N/A
Bit Error Rate 1.00E-05 N/A
Tx Power (W) 0.25 -6.02
Tx Gain (dB) N/A 1
Rx Gain (dB) N/A 15
Rx Noise Temperature (K) 400 N/A
System Loss (dB) N/A 1.00
Polarization Loss (dB) N/A 3.00
Weather Loss (dB) N/A 1.00

Farthest Distance (km) 1440 N/A

Propagation Loss (dB) N/A 153.4
Bandwidth (Hz) 11520 40.6
Rx Figure of Merit (dB/K) N/A -11.02
Minimum Required SNR (dB) N/A 9.55
Minimum Achievable SNR (dB) N/A 18.6
Link Margin (dB) N/A 9.02

2017-12-01 Begz 9
 Power
 The power received by the antenna can be calculated
using
2
𝜆
𝑃𝑟 = 𝑃𝑡 𝐺𝑡 𝐺𝑟
4𝜋𝑑
Where,
𝑃𝑡 - transmitter power (W)
𝑃𝑟 - received power (W)
𝐺𝑡 and 𝐺𝑟 - transmitter and receiver antenna gains,
respectively
𝜆 – wavelength of the signal (m)

2017-12-01 Begz 10
 Antenna Gain
 The antenna gains can be calculated using
𝜋𝐷 2
𝐺=𝜂
𝜆
Where,
𝜂 – transmitting or receiving efficiency
𝐷 – Diameter of the antenna dish (m)

 The quality of the transmitting antenna is known by

the Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)
𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑃 = 𝑃𝑡 𝐺𝑡

2017-12-01 Begz 11
 Noise
 The noise power present in the received signal is:

𝑁 = 𝑘𝑇𝐵
Where
N=Noise Power (W)
T = Noise temperature (K)
B = bandwidth (Hz)
−23 𝐽
k = Boltzmann’s constant (1.38 × 10 )
𝐾

2017-12-01 Begz 12
 Signal to Noise Ratio
 To find the received signal-to-noise ratio, the following
equation is used
2
𝑆 𝑃𝑟 𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑃 𝐺𝑟 𝜆
= =
𝑁 𝑁 𝑘𝑇𝐵 4𝜋𝑑
 And another way to determine signal-to-noise ratio using
𝑆 𝐸𝑏 𝑅
=
𝑁 𝑁0 𝐵
Where
𝐸𝑏
- energy per bit to spectral noise density ratio
𝑁0
R – data rate (bit/s)
B – Bandwidth (Hz)

2017-12-01 Begz 13
 Link Margin
 Link margin determines if the communication link is
stable
𝑆 𝑆
 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝐵 = −
𝑁 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑁 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑

 Link margin of +3 dB, minimum, is recommended

2017-12-01 Begz 14
 Bit Error Rate (BER)
𝐸𝑏
 Each modulation has its own unique BER to
𝑁0
relationship
 Lower BER results in higher energy per bit per noise
density

Figure 4: Eb/N0 vs BER

2017-12-01 Begz 15
 Bit Error Rate
 BER with various modulation results in various Eb/N0
 Each modulation will give different performance with a
given amount of RF power

Figure 5: Eb/N0 vs. different modulation types

2017-12-01 Begz 16
 Overview of Modulation Techniques
 Two ways to modulate a signal:
 Analog
 Digital

Figure 6: Modulation Techniques

2017-12-01 Begz 17
 Analog Modulation vs. Digital Modulation
 FM – the process of varying the instantaneous
frequency of carrier signal according by the amplitude
of the data signal
 Whereas, FSK is the process of varying the frequencies
of the modulated signal according to 1’s and 0’s
 In general, “1” represent one predefined frequency and “0”
represent another.
 “1” = 𝑓1 and “0” = 𝑓2

2017-12-01 Begz 18
 Analog Modulation vs. Digital Modulation

Figure 7: Analog Modulation (FM) Figure 8: Digital Modulation (FSK)

2017-12-01 Begz 19
 Selection of Modulation
 GOMSpace – NanoCom AX 100
 Supports FSK, MSK, GFSK, or GMSK
 MSK, GFSK, and GMSK are modified and advanced
versions of FSK.
 Previous year’s team suggested GMSK (Gaussian
Minimum Shift keying) as our modulation scheme.

2017-12-01 Begz 20
 Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)
 More advanced than FSK and MSK (Minimum Shift
Keying)
 Uses Gaussian filter to shape the data signal before
modulated
 Reduces sideband power, which can be considered as
noise when received.
 Require less Bandwidth

Figure 9: Power Density Spectrum

2017-12-01 Begz 21
 Technical Difficulties
 GMSK is a highly advanced form of FSK
 Many CubeSats use FSK, AFSK, or MSK as their
modulation scheme
 Very few used GMSK
 High data rate
 Could be difficult to demodulate the received signal
 Complicated mathematics involved in determining bi-
error-rate

2017-12-01 Begz 22
 Future work
 Compare Eb/N0 values for each modulation
 Determine the most suitable modulation scheme
 Complete and updated link budget
 Experiment with HackRF
 Contact GOMSpace and get more information on the
transceiver

2017-12-01 Begz 23
Antenna Deployment
Mechanism
By: Riley Kerr

2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 24

 Overview of Antenna System Design

▪ 45 degree quarter
wavelength monopole offset
▪ Antenna Feed Network
▪ Deployment Mechanism
▪ Circular polarization
▪ Monopole width: 5mm
▪ Monopole length: 13.62 cm

Figure 10: CuSAT 45 degree Antenna Configuration

2017-12-01 Riley 25
 Deployment Requirements
Table 2: List of Requirements

Req. # Description
1-0080 All parts shall remain attached to the CubeSat during launch, ejection and
operation. No additional space debris will be created.

1-0090 No pyrotechnics are allowed.

2-0110 Deployable components shall be constrained by the CubeSat; the launch

dispenser walls or guide-rails must not be used to constrain deployables.

5-0225 The communications subsystem shall have a mass of less than 240g.

2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 26

 Deployment Mechanism Iterations

 Last Years Design

 String holds down door
 When burned, antenna allowed
to push the door out and deploy
 Potential Problem with Current
Design
 Door a potential point of failure
 Measuring tape curl when held
in capsule for prolonged time

Figure 11: Prototype of Last Years Design

2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 27

 Deployment Mechanism Iterations

Figure 12: Deployment Mechanism Figure 13: Deployment Mechanism After

Before Deployment Deployment

2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 28

 Deployment Mechanism Iterations

1st Iteration of Deployment Mechanism

Figure 14: 1st Iteration Deployment Figure 15: Close Up of 1st Iteration Burn Wire
Mechanism
2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 29
 Deployment Mechanism Iterations
2nd Iteration of Deployment Mechanism

Figure 16: Deployment Mechanism Figure 17: Top Plate Design

Modelled in SolidWorks
2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 30
 Deployment Mechanism Testing

Table 3: Testing Statistics (Y= Deployed, N = No Deployment)

After Dropping After Shaking After Shaking and Dropping

Test 1 Y Y Y

Test 2 Y Y Y

Test 3 Y Y Y

Test 4 Y Y Y

Test 5 Y Y Y

2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 31

 Deployment Mechanism Testing

2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 32

 Deployment Mechanism Iterations

Figure 18: Recoiling Mechanism Before and

After Deployment
2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 33
 Deployment Mechanism

Future work
• Complete Burn Wire Circuit
• Determine materials to be used for the deployment mechanism
• Positioning deployment mechanism on ground plane

2017-12-01 Riley Kerr 34

Antenna Feed Network
Transitions
By: Austin Balcaen

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 35

 Transmission Loop

Antenna
AX100-U
Feed Monopole HackRF One
iOBC Satellite
Network Antennas Transceiver
Transceiver
I2 C MCX Coaxial (AFN) Microstrip
EM Waves
Cable Line

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 36

 Antenna Feed Network (AFN)

Figure 20: Nanocom ANT430 antenna feed network

Figure 19: Current antenna feed network design

• Decision was made to design our own antenna feed network (AFN)
• AFN was based on Nanocom ANT430 design
2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 37
 Antenna Feed Network (AFN)

Why design our own?

• Deployment mechanism on ANT430 AFN is different than
our current deployment mechanism design
• ANT430 burn wire circuit is placed on side of the satellite
• ANT430 AFN was estimated to cost about $6250 USD
• Designing the AFN ourselves will be difficult but doable

Figure 21: Nanocom ANT430 deployment

mechanism burn wire circuit

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 38

 Antenna Feed Network (AFN)
Requirements for AFN

Table 4: Communication System Requirements

Req. Description
Number
5-0130 The CubeSat transceiver shall transmit and receive within
the 420-450 MHz frequency band
5-0210 The CubeSat antenna shall be matched to an impedance
of 50 ohms
5-0330 Antenna Feed Network must not interfere with payload

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 39

 Antenna Feed Network (AFN)

What is involved in an AFN?

• Transition point between satellite transceiver and AFN
• Dividing the signal power equally into four components
• Phase shift of 90 degrees between monopole antennas
• Transition point between antennas and AFN
• Impedance matching transition points Figure 22: Antenna feed network design

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 40

 Satellite Transceiver to AFN

Initial design
• Vertical coaxial connector to protrude through AFN
PCB and contact microstrip trace
• Would ensure that no collision occurred with
payload camera
• Microstrip trace must be extended past coaxial pin
intersection in order to match impedances
Figure 23: Isometric view of coaxial to
microstrip vertical transition

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 41

 Satellite Transceiver to AFN
Results from matching trace to connector

Figure 25: S(1,1) Point vs Microstrip Length for Vertically Mounted Coaxial Transition
2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 42
 Satellite Transceiver to AFN
New design
• Edge mounted coaxial connector
• Collision with payload camera should not be a problem
• Impedance of microstrip line must be 50 Ω for it to be
matched to the connector

Figure 26: 50 Ω MCX edge Figure 27: MCX right angle plug Figure 28: Isometric view of coaxial to
mounted PCB jack with RG-316 coaxial cable microstrip edge mounted transition
2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 43
 Satellite Transceiver to AFN
Matching microstrip line to 50 Ω
• Performed in ANSYS HFSS by doing a parametric sweep
of the width of the trace line
• Width of trace line must be less than 4.14 mm

4.14 mm

Figure 29: Top view of coaxial edge Figure 30: ANSYS HFSS model to
mounted connector match microstrip line to connector
2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 44
 Satellite Transceiver to AFN
Matching microstrip line to 50 Ω
• Current trade study ongoing between using FR4 or Duroid as the PCB dielectric

Table 5: Impedance seen using Table 6: Impedance seen using

Duroid as the dielectric FR4 as the dielectric
Trace Width Impedance Trace Width Impedance
[mm] [Ω] [mm] [Ω]
1 118 1 85
2 84 2 64
3 70 3 51
4 58 4 42
5 50 5 37

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 45

 AFN to Antennas
Antenna impedance matching
• In previous years work the monopole antennas were assumed to have an
impedance of 50 Ω
• Impedance of a quarter-wave monopole antenna is always 36.5 + j21.25 Ω
• Antenna will have to be matched to 50 Ω microstrip line
• The impedance can be matched in two ways
• Quarter-wave transformer
• Using lumped elements

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 46

 AFN to Antennas
Antenna impedance matching Microstrip Quarter-wave Monopole
line transformer Antenna
• Quarter-wave transformer
𝑙=
𝜆𝑔
• Matching can occur by adding = 12.5 𝑐𝑚
4

to the microstrip line Figure 31: Quarter-wave transformer

• This is not an option as it would be too long Microstrip Lumped Monopole
line elements Antenna
• Using lumped elements
𝑍𝑖𝑛 𝐿
• Matching can occur by adding an inductor
𝐶
and capacitor
• This is the preferred option
Figure 32: Lumped elements
2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 47
 Transition Points on AFN

Future work
• Complete microstrip dielectric trade study
• Contact a manufacturer about what they need from us to create the AFN
• Determine lumped elements to match antenna to microstrip line

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 48

Antenna Feed Network
Circuit
By: Oussama Khallil

2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 49

 Antenna Feed Network (AFN)
Requirements for AFN

Table 4: Communication System Requirements

Req. Description
Number
5-0130 The CubeSat transceiver shall transmit and receive within
the 420-450 MHz frequency band
5-0210 The CubeSat antenna shall be matched to an impedance
of 50 ohms
5-0330 Antenna Feed Network must not interfere with payload

2017-12-01 Austin Balcaen 50

 Antenna Feed Network Function

▪ Major Requirement of Communications System:

▪ Triggers the antenna monopoles at 90 degrees phase

shifts

2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 51

 Phase Shifting Circuits in RF applications

▪ Passive Circuits: feed network and RLC, LC circuits; signal

attenuates-lossy; applied in low frequency ranges
▪ Transmission Lines: applied in high frequency ranges (GHz)
▪ Phase Shifting with Hybrid Power Dividers/Splitters

Figure 33: Transmission

Lines Figure 34: AFN Sketch

2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 52

 Power Dividers/Splitters

▪ Easy to implement: supports the operating frequency

range
▪ Power Divider/Splitter
▪ Quadrature (90 deg) and 180 deg hybrid.

Figure 35: Quadrature

Hybrid
2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 53
 Functionality

54

Figure 36: AFN Block Diagram v.1 Figure 37: AFN Block Diagram v.2
2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 54
 PCB Design: Components & Substrate
 Constraint: 420-450 MHz Frequency Range
 Size: 0.86 in X 1.25 in
 Duroid 5880: Dielectric relative permittivity (𝜀𝑟 )= 2.2;
Loss Tangent=0.0004 [Rogers Corp. datasheet]

Figure 38: Anaren Hybrid Coupler

2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 55

 Schematic

Figure 39: AFN Schematic

2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 56

 Future Work
▪ Contact manufacturers
▪ Work on refined version of the design schematic
▪ Design a PCB layout of the circuit using ADS
▪ Contact PCB manufacturers to check for requirements
and initialize the manufacturing process
▪ Finalize the burn wire circuit design

2017-12-01 Oussama Khallil 57

 End

The End

2017-12-01 58