Self-Steering Antenna Arrays for Distributed Picosatellite Networks

Presenter Information

Blaine Murakami, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Aaron Ohta, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Michael Tamamoto, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Grant Shiroma, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Ryan Miyamoto, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Wayne Shiroma, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Session

Technical Session XI: The Technology Frontier-- Advanced Technologies, Subsystems, and components for Small Satellites: Section II

Abstract

The potential for using self-steering arrays for secure crosslinks in picosatellite networks is investigated. The principle of operation and methods of characterization of these so-called retrodirective arrays is reviewed, and examples developed by our group are presented. New challenges for the space environment are identified, specifically the development of two-dimensional, circularly polarized retrodirective arrays optimized for size and power consumption.