Session
Technical Poster Session 1
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Quadrifilar helix antennas are also called fractional turn helix is very appealing to spacecraft applications. A quadrifilar antenna offers circular polarization in its radiating hemisphere and its radiation pattern is not severely affected by a ground plane. These properties are important for closing the communication link and make the antenna relatively independent of the CubeSat frame and mounting location, which facilitates modular design of the antenna.
Although it has similar shape as a helical antenna, a quadrifilar helix antenna is fundamentally different. While there exists design theory and calculators for this type of antennas, detailed notes on design, fabrication, and tuning of different geometries of quadrifilar helix antennas are beneficial for small satellite community. This paper presents design data of several successful demonstrations of quadrifilar helix antennas with different geometries and operation bands.
Design, Fabrication, and Tuning Techniques of Quadrifilar Helix Antennas for Small Satellites
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Quadrifilar helix antennas are also called fractional turn helix is very appealing to spacecraft applications. A quadrifilar antenna offers circular polarization in its radiating hemisphere and its radiation pattern is not severely affected by a ground plane. These properties are important for closing the communication link and make the antenna relatively independent of the CubeSat frame and mounting location, which facilitates modular design of the antenna.
Although it has similar shape as a helical antenna, a quadrifilar helix antenna is fundamentally different. While there exists design theory and calculators for this type of antennas, detailed notes on design, fabrication, and tuning of different geometries of quadrifilar helix antennas are beneficial for small satellite community. This paper presents design data of several successful demonstrations of quadrifilar helix antennas with different geometries and operation bands.
