Enhancing Communication Range of Student Satellites Using Ground Station Antenna Systems

Maman Ali; Danial Babar; M. Mannan Chishti; Bilal Ahmad Khan; M. Kamran Saleem; Awais Ahmad Khan

Authors

Maman Ali Electrical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab
Danial Babar Electrical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab
M. Mannan Chishti Electrical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab
Bilal Ahmad Khan Electrical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab
M. Kamran Saleem Electrical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab
Awais Ahmad Khan Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Engineering and Technology

Keywords:

Student Satellite, STEM, Yagi Uda Antenna, Corner Reflector Antenna, Gain

Abstract

Student-made satellites have a prominent position in contemporary STEM education; however, the usefulness of the technology is constrained due to the constraints associated with traditional radio communication ranges. In order to solve this issue, high gain antennas for 2.4 GHz were designed using simulations on ANSYS HFSS along with SolidWorks modeling, followed by 3D-printing of antennas made from PLA material and copper rods. As per the simulation data obtained, the Yagi-Uda and Corner Reflector designs had a gain of 10.23 dB and 12.45 dB, respectively. The experiments conducted using drones proved that the custom-designed antennas can enhance the telemetry range to distances greater than 800 meters and 1000 meters, respectively, thus far exceeding the traditional antenna range of 100 meters to 200 meters. Thus, this work proves the effectiveness of these inexpensive antennas for path loss compensation in ground segment communication.

Author Biography

Danial Babar, Electrical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab

Electrical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab

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