24/7 Space News
TECH SPACE
Low power Ka-band transmitters on Earth observation satellites
The manufacturing of the radio IC is a CMOS process, which enables mass production at a low cost. Axelspace plans to install the successfully developed low-power phased array radio on our own Earth observation microsatellite. An in-orbit demonstration will be conducted within a few years. We will continue to further research and development. With the aim to shorten the time lag between ground capturing and data downloading as much as possible. As well as the acceleration of satellite data utilization.
ADVERTISEMENT
     
Low power Ka-band transmitters on Earth observation satellites
by Staff Writers
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Feb 22, 2023

Axelspace Corporation has successfully developed a Ka-band radio for Earth observation microsatellites. The radio operates with less than half the power consumption of conventional radio. The collaborative research was jointly developed with Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech). With key collaborators Atsushi Shirane of the Laboratory for Future Interdisciplinary Research of Science and Professor Kenichi Okada and Assistant Professor Takashi Tomura of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Earth observation data from microsatellites is attracting attention for a multitude of applications. Such as smart agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster prevention, and disaster response. Demand for this data will increase in the future. More efficient mechanisms for transmitting data from space to Earth are needed.

The radio equipment typically used on microsatellites for earth observation have limitations. This is especially with compatibility between capturing and data communication. This issue arises because the direction of image capture and antenna communication do not match (attitude control). Large earth observation satellites in the several-ton class mount multiple types of antennas.

They can use different antennas depending on the distance from the ground stations. Or mechanical gimbals combined with controllable directivity phased array radios. Thus, allowing the large satellite to avoid conflicts in attitude control. However, microsatellites have a significant decrease in the storage space and the power. Presenting a unique and difficult challenge to adopt the above methods into microsatellites.

Advances in sensor technology and data services require today's Earth observation missions have faster communications. This downlink must achieve a large amount of data transmission in shorter time periods. To solve these two issues of space and power constrained microsatellites. Axelspace and Tokyo Tech have developed a downlink system. The system combines a broadband Ka-band transmitter and an active phased array antennas.

The Ka-band phased array radio developed in this research consists of a two-port antenna, amplifier, phase shifter, and active hybrid coupler. This enables electrical directivity control with low power consumption. The newly devised dynamic hybrid coupler circuit technology significantly reduces the power consumption of the phased array radio. Allowing faster and more real-time data communication than was previously possible.

The manufacturing of the radio IC is a CMOS process, which enables mass production at a low cost. Axelspace plans to install the successfully developed low-power phased array radio on our own Earth observation microsatellite. An in-orbit demonstration will be conducted within a few years. We will continue to further research and development. With the aim to shorten the time lag between ground capturing and data downloading as much as possible. As well as the acceleration of satellite data utilization.

The research results were supported by the JST Research Results Deployment Program A-STEP Industry-University Collaboration JPMJTR211D.

Related Links
Axelspace Corporation
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Momentus Vigoride-5 Status Update #2
San Jose CA (SPX) Feb 08, 2023
Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS), a U.S. commercial space company reports that its Vigoride-5 Orbital Service Vehicle launched on the SpaceX Transporter-6 mission on January 3 continues to be in good health and that the team is continuing to fully commission the vehicle in preparation for further on-orbit operations. Recent activities have focused on tuning the performance of the attitude determination system and beginning pressurization of the vehicle's propulsion system. The vehicle's power and temp ... read more

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
TECH SPACE
Russia claims Progress leak caused by an "external impact"

Russian rescue mission for three space station astronauts set this week

Russia launches crew-less Soyuz to ISS as replacement

Farming on the Moon

TECH SPACE
World's first 3D-printed rocket Terran 1 is ready for its maiden flight

SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, part of Inmarsat program

SpaceX Endeavour's crew arrive at KSC ahead of launch

Flight Crew Arrives at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for Crew-6 Mission

TECH SPACE
Perseverance set to begin third year on Mars at Jezero Crater

Drilling the Marker Band Again: Sols 3750-3751

Another Busy Day on Mars: Sol 3749

Better tools needed to determine ancient life on Mars

TECH SPACE
China's space station experiments pave way for new space technology

China solicits logos for manned space missions in 2023

Two crews set for Tiangong station in '23

Large number of launches planned

TECH SPACE
New research models concept for data transport using train of satellites

New transmitter design for small satellite constellations improves signal transmission

Vast acquires launcher to accelerate growth

Luxembourg taps into SES's O3b mPOWER for defense and disaster recovery

TECH SPACE
Low power Ka-band transmitters on Earth observation satellites

Radiation-resistant Ka-band radio for LEO constellation offers speeds Beyond 5G

Redwire partners with Starfish Space for Otter Pup satellite docking mission

Exploring the Valley of the Kings with radar

TECH SPACE
CARMENES project boosts the number of known planets in the solar neighbourhood

"Forbidden" planet orbiting small star challenges gas giant formation theories

Very Large Telescope captures direct images of bright exoplanet

Does ice in the Universe contain the molecules making up the building blocks of life in planetary systems?

TECH SPACE
Newly discovered form of salty ice could exist on surface of extraterrestrial moons

New aurorae detected on Jupiter's four largest moons

JUICE's final take-off before lift-off

A new ring system discovered in our Solar System

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters


ADVERTISEMENT



The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2023 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.