A 2.4 GHz High Data Rate radio for pico-satellites

Abstract

CubeSat is a class of popular pico-satellites that is limited in size to a standard 10×10×10cm unit. In this paper, we present a functioning High Data Rate (HDR) 2.4 GHz radio for use on a CubeSat. Current CubeSats suffer from low data rate radios and this severely limits their functionality. In this design, the operating constraints of a CubeSat have been addressed. Namely, power, wide variations in temperature, the size and weight of the components, and cost. The radio can potentially achieve bits rates in the order of 60 Mbps using 0.3W in Rx mode and 0.5W in Tx mode - with a further 2W for the power amplifier.