Date of Award

Fall 12-19-2016

Document Type

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Department

Electrical Engineering

Advisor

Kathleen Kramer

Advisor

James Gilb

Abstract

CubeSats communication links are typically slow due to their power and size restrictions. However, a low power, high speed down link connection can allow for greater data collection and relaying, pushing the capability of 1U CubeSats beyond what is traditionally thought possible. Investigated here is the feasibility of a 11 Mb/s down link connection on a 1U CubeSat, accomplished via 2x2 helical antenna phased array operating on the 802.11 standard. Using a phased array also allows for beam steering to secure connection with the ground station when the on board ADCS may not provide precise pointing capability of the CubeSat, as 1U systems often do not.

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