Enabling Radio Crosslink Technology for High Performance Coordinated Constellations
Session
Pre-Conference: CubeSat Developers' Workshop
Abstract
This paper describes the use of an advanced high-performance software defined radio architecture to provide small satellites, including CubeSats, with the ability to operate in coordinated constellations and fractionated systems. While the advantages of small satellite constellations are frequently discussed, the challenges of cooperative operations in a constellation are often overlooked. We will discuss the additional requirements that are often levied against a small satellite constellation or fractionated system and how these requirements can be efficiently addressed using software defined radio intersatellite RF links. In particular, we will discuss the capabilities of the SWIFT SDR platform and how it can be used to provide small satellites with a high-speed data crosslink (>10 Mbps), timing and frequency synchronization (< 10ns and < 10ppb), and relative navigation information (< 0.1m range accuracy). These capabilities will then be discussed relative to traditional, uncoordinated solutions and how these capabilities enable classes of missions that would otherwise be difficult to implement. In particular, missions requiring cooperative, synchronized multi-point measurements and real-time station keeping will be discussed.
Presentation Slides
Enabling Radio Crosslink Technology for High Performance Coordinated Constellations
This paper describes the use of an advanced high-performance software defined radio architecture to provide small satellites, including CubeSats, with the ability to operate in coordinated constellations and fractionated systems. While the advantages of small satellite constellations are frequently discussed, the challenges of cooperative operations in a constellation are often overlooked. We will discuss the additional requirements that are often levied against a small satellite constellation or fractionated system and how these requirements can be efficiently addressed using software defined radio intersatellite RF links. In particular, we will discuss the capabilities of the SWIFT SDR platform and how it can be used to provide small satellites with a high-speed data crosslink (>10 Mbps), timing and frequency synchronization (< 10ns and < 10ppb), and relative navigation information (< 0.1m range accuracy). These capabilities will then be discussed relative to traditional, uncoordinated solutions and how these capabilities enable classes of missions that would otherwise be difficult to implement. In particular, missions requiring cooperative, synchronized multi-point measurements and real-time station keeping will be discussed.
