CubeSat UHF Antenna | NanoAvionics
CubeSat and SmallSat UHF Antenna

CubeSat and SmallSat UHF Antenna System

The minimum order quantity for this subsystem is 4 pieces.

NanoAvionics has three types of UHF Antenna Systems. The CubeSat version consists of an RF Splitter and 4 monopole antennas integrated into the same sub-assembly. The microsatellite version consists of 4 monopole antennas and a supporting splitter, allowing greater flexibility in footprint and positions. The third group is a standalone monopole antenna assembly that deploys at 90 degrees and supports various applications.
An RF Splitter is a key element in turnstile antenna systems that performs impedance matching and splits a single RF signal into a phasing network to form a single circularly polarized antenna. This results in an almost omnidirectional radiation pattern with no blind spots and prevents signal fading due to satellite tumbling. An aperture can be provided inside the splitter board for hardware integration purposes.

The minimum order quantity for this subsystem is 4 pieces.

NanoAvionics has three types of UHF Antenna Systems. The CubeSat version consists of an RF Splitter and 4 monopole antennas integrated into the same sub-assembly. The microsatellite version consists of 4 monopole antennas and a supporting splitter, allowing greater flexibility in footprint and positions. The third group is a standalone monopole antenna assembly that deploys at 90 degrees and supports various applications.
An RF Splitter is a key element in turnstile antenna systems that performs impedance matching and splits a single RF signal into a phasing network to form a single circularly polarized antenna. This results in an almost omnidirectional radiation pattern with no blind spots and prevents signal fading due to satellite tumbling. An aperture can be provided inside the splitter board for hardware integration purposes.

  • Features:
    • Antenna compatibility – Turnstile/ Quad-Monopole (circular polarization)
    • RF Impedance: 50 Ohm
    • RF input connector – MCX (50 Ohm)
    • IPC – A600H class 3 assembly, hand soldering per ESA specification ECSS-Q-70-08
  • Performance:
    • Frequency range: 400 MHz to 500 MHz
    • Max RF Power: 10 W
    • Return Loss (400-500 MHz): > 14 dB
    • Noise Figure (Nadir Pointing): 360 K
    • Temperature Range – -40 °C +85 °C
    • Mass (typical):
      • 1x1U: 33 g
      • 1x2U: 50 g
      • 2x2U: 65 g
    • Peak Gain (typical):
      • 1x1U: 1.37 dB
      • 1x2U: 2.86 dB
      • 2x2U: 2 … 3 dB
    • Dimensions:
      • 1x1U: 99.6 x 99.6 x 7.7 mm
      • 1x2U: : 222 x 96 x 7.7 mm
      • 2x2U: 224 x 222 x 7.7 mm
  • Configuration Options
    • UHF Antenna System for 6U Satellites 
    • UHF Antenna System for 12U – 16U Satellites
    • UHF Antenna System for MP42 Micro Satellites
    • UHF Monopole Antenna