Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF

ARTES - Nano-satellite helps with measurement for better data transmission from orbit to ground station

Satellite
© Reactor Space Lab

In the ARTES project, a CubeSat-like nano-satellite will be used to embark a beacon in the Q- and W-bands (37/75 GHz) to perform channel propagation measurements. The general goal of the project is the characterization of the major satellite channel impairments for future data transmission experiments.

The CubeSat will be deployed and send the signal in low or »near-Earth« orbit (LEO orbit). Although it differs from future operational satellites, which will use the W-band in a geostationary orbit (GEO orbit), the proximity to earth provides significant time and cost advantages in the measurement. Supporting software tools will be used to bridge the gap between the relatively short LEO measurements and the statistical reliability needed for GEO propagation measurements, in particular, an atmospheric channel simulator.

PROJECT TITLE

ARTES Advanced Technology CubeSat-based W-band channel measurements

 

PROJECT DURATION

2018 − 2021

FUNDING SOURCE

European Space Agency ESA

COORDINATOR

Joanneum Research

OBJECTIVES

  • Development and launch of a CubeSat nanosatellite
  • Development of a high-frequency signal (Beacon), which transmits in Q- and W-band
  • Characterization of Q- and W-band atmospheric signal propagation for future data transmission from the satellite to the ground station

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    The overall objective of this activity is to improve the knowledge and modeling of the atmospheric RF propagation channel at W-band, through:

  • The provision of a service that allows the continuous transmission of a stable, unmodulated W-band and Q-band carrier signal from a CubeSat-like nano-satellite that allows reception on the ground by a propagation terminal
  • Providing the signal to other research institutions and scientists worldwide to gather data from as many climate regions as possible for analysis
  • Performing atmospheric channel propagation measurements of the signal from this beacon