DINO Communications Considerations 3 antenna ideas Timeline Bent dipole Monopole Helix Timeline

Considerations We only have a certain diameter surface to work with which rules out certain antennas (parabolic, etc.) We will not be able to encase an antenna in the internal structure of the satellite (horn, etc.) Deployment of antennas Budget

Bent Dipole Antenna Characteristics 1.22dB (for this bent dipole simulation), however gain can improve to approximately 7dB. 60 deg x 60 deg (typical half-power beam width, will vary with angle of dipole) Frequency limits (3MHz to 500MHz) Linear Polarization

Bent Dipole Antenna Bent Dipole with increased angle from wave propagation axis (z) Provided a gain of 4.9dB As angle was increased from z axis, worked up to a gain of approximately 7dB. However a certain point the dB gain decreased as bent dipole looked more like a dipole

Monopole Antenna Characteristics -18dB gain along z axis and 2.3dB gain along y axis (for this monopole antenna) 45 deg x 360 deg (typical half-power beam width) No frequency limits Linear polarization

Helix Antenna Characteristics 10dB (typical gain) 50 deg x 50 deg (typical half-power beam width) 100 MHz to 3GHz (frequency limit) Circular polarization If used, special attention will need to be made as to the angle and position of a helix antenna on the satellite.

Timeline Rough link power budget by 11-22. Will help find required gain for our satellite antennas. With gains approximated for satellite antennas, work on design of antennas by 12-6. Write up of full antenna plan containing link power budget and 1st prototype antennas. (?)