COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS FOR CUBESAT MISSIONS

Abstract

Several design iterations of communication systems at the Missouri S&T Satellite Research Team reveal that software defined radios (SDR) are viable for low cost, fully functional, and reliable communication systems. Recent licensing policy changes have impacted a number of CubeSat missions, prompting the necessity of bandwidth efficient communication. In searching for solutions to minimize spectral congestion, these systems need to minimize power consumption and maximize data throughput. The flexibility that SDRs provide allows for dynamic link control in orbit. Once completed, the code used to implement this system will be open-sourced for future missions use.