Echo Time Distance Measurements for Nanosatellite Arrays

This proposal presents a technique for the precise determination of distance between nodes of a planar array of nanosatellites for synthetic aperture and sensor array applications. The proposed effort will result in a navigational technique that can precisely determine the positions of nanosatellite sensor nodes in the array. The proposed innovation enables higher performance and low cost sensor array development, while fitting within the size constraints, limited communication ability, and operational duty cycles of nanosatellites. The technique presented depends on echo time measurement between a satellite and its neighbors. That is, the satellite generates a RF signal that is received by its neighbors and echoed back. Differential measurements are taken to subtract out delays introduced by the propagating hardware. The distances between pairs of neighboring satellites can then be combined with bearing and orientation information to precisely map the spatial arrangement of the satellite array. Combined with bearing and orientation measurements, this technique solves the precise position determination (PPD) problem using nanosatellites; that is, position determination within the sensor array with accuracy suitable for synthetic aperture formation.

Synthetic apertures as used in radio astronomy and magnetometry are of interest to the scientific community. The military makes heavy use of synthetic apertures radar systems. Both the commercial communications industry and the military have interest in synthetic apertures as used in phased array communications antennas. Large-scale sensor arrays are of interest to the scientific community to measure and record physical phenomena such as solar disturbances and comet fly-by characterization. A significant reduction of equipment cost and deployment cost is achieved by allowing the vast majority of the satellites that compose a synthetic aperture (or sensor array) to be nanosatellites. Existing users of synthetic apertures and sensor arrays will find the value proposition of this cost reducing architecture compelling. The lower cost is also expected to make synthetic apertures (or sensor arrays) economically viable for new sets of applications.

Synthetic apertures as used in radio astronomy and magnetometry are of interest to the scientific community. The military makes heavy use of synthetic apertures radar systems. Both the commercial communications industry and the military have interest in synthetic apertures as used in phased array communications antennas. Large-scale sensor arrays are of interest to the scientific community to measure and record physical phenomena such as solar disturbances and comet fly-by characterization. A significant reduction of equipment cost and deployment cost is achieved by allowing the vast majority of the satellites that compose a synthetic aperture (or sensor array) to be nanosatellites. Existing users of synthetic apertures and sensor arrays will find the value proposition of this cost reducing architecture compelling. The lower cost is also expected to make synthetic apertures (or sensor arrays) economically viable for new sets of applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.