Miniaturized UHF radio for direct-to-orbit comm

This projects centers on the development of a low SWaP transponder for Mars and Lunar missions. The emphasis is on Mars (UHF) frequencies. The requirements for the transponder is to be low SWaP (CubeSat or smaller form factor, < 15W of DC power utilization, half-duplex). The main motivator for this transponder is to enable low mass missions like future helicopters to be un-tethered from a larger lander for communications, including future helicopters.

The end-goal is a novel, low-SWaP radio design that enables direct-to-orbit communications between a spacecraft on or close to the surface at Mars and both existing and future orbiting assets participating in the Mars Relay Network (MRN) for telecom relay. In addition to enabling communications directly with the MRN, the proposed radio architecture is agile and capable of implementing a number of communications protocols over many frequency bands, meaning it can be adapted for more uses other than just UHF communications with the existing infrastructure.

The MRN is essential for sustaining scientific investigations over the next two decades and is critical in preparing for future human presence and exploration of Mars. Additionally, the Mars infrastructure is expected to leverage technology developments made as part of NASA’s Moon-to-Mars initiative.

The miniaturized telecom solution is designed with significantly reduced size, weight and power (SWaP), on the order <400g. This telecom solution is suitable for small-scale Mars missions (such as impact landers or rotorcraft) or as a component in larger missions where payload efficiency is crucial (such as radar instruments). The miniaturized transponder is planned to inherit the Mars Sample Return firmware as well as any improvements achieved through synergistic efforts on JPL transponder (such as the UST-Lite) development. This allows the new transponder to quickly incorporate feature updates to be in lock step with the orbiter side developments, for a reduced cost due to leveraging the actual development occurring by other missions. Current experience with commercial vendors, such as part of the CLPS program, has showed that incorporating features on both sides of the link by two different vendors quickly becomes cost prohibitive. The proposal focuses on the main digital and RF conversion, with most software/firmware to be inherited from other developments (beyond the initial port). The SDR architecture allows for software updates and reprogramming post-launch, making it adaptable to new mission requirements or unexpected challenges. Finally, this radio is not ultimately limited to CCSDS signaling and can be adapted to mission-specific waveforms (including LTE/4G/5G cellular, 802.15.4, etc) from VHF (50 MHz) through C-band (6 GHz) as needed by terrestrial or lunar applications.

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