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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 3)
Our project aims to identify what ground-based high-data-rate telemetry requires using antenna system arraying techniques. While some COTS/GOTS solutions exist, they are more specifically designed for satellite orbital tracking and data reception. Our focus is unique- we aim to determine what additional hardware and software is required while operating under the high flight dynamics of a sounding rocket, a challenge that has not yet been fully explored.
The Antenna System Array will consist of off-the-shelf components that take two independent receive antennas and adjust the phasing so that the inputs are coherent with each other. This approach, while innovative, is also practical and feasible. The output will result in a gain increase of up to 3 dB for similar apertures, demonstrating the potential of our proposed solution.
By enhancing the ground receive side of the communication link through antenna system arrays, we aim to significantly improve the system link margin. This will enable vehicles to travel greater distances while still receiving clean telemetry data, a development that could revolutionize the field.
The sounding rocket platforms currently utilize telemetry systems operating in the S‐band RF frequency allocation. The S‐band has been used for years, but as there has been more interest in higher data rates (>50Mbps), other options need to be considered due to the S‐band frequency bandwidth (<100MHz) limitations. The proposed antenna system array will contribute to the increased data reception range capability for the high-rate telemetry system in the C‐band RF frequency allocation ‐ allowing for a much greater bandwidth (>300MHz).
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