UHF/VHF monopole antenna array for CubeSats

Abstract

In order to avoid message collision and increase signal level for massive machine-to-machine communications through satellites, high gain and directivity antennas are preferable. Such antennas usually are too big for CubeSats in UHF and VHF bands. These problems could be solved by very large antenna array design suggested by authors, which is based on two ideas : electronically steerable monopole array and self-deployable structure. Depending on the number of elements, the achievable gain is up to 15 dBi, i.e. roughly up to 20 times (by power) more than a gain of conventional CubeSat monopole antenna. We present the results of a prototype 4-element UHF antenna array that fits in less than half of a 1U CubeSat volume. Good agreement between simulation results and measured parameters was achieved. Some issues of chaotic deployment were solved.