MODELING AND MEASUREMENT OF ANTENNA CHARACTERISTICS  OF A SATELLITE STATION BASED ON SOFTWARE-DEFINED RADIO

K.S. Baktybekov; A.E. Ashurov; A.V. Ivanov; A.Zh. Kelgenbayev; A.S. Zhapanova; S. Sailaubaiuly

doi:10.31489/2025N4/82-93

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31489/2025N4/82-93

Keywords:

radiation pattern, parabolic antenna, S-band, ground station, gain measurement, modeling

Abstract

This study investigates the characteristics of a parabolic satellite antenna designed for communication with low Earth orbit satellites in the S-band. The choice of the S-band is motivated by the significantly lower power consumption of the radio link compared to the X-band. The S-band (2–4 GHz) is less sensitive to adverse weather effects than the X-band (8–12 GHz). These factors are critical for nanosatellites during Earth observation (EO) data transmission. Particular attention is given to measurements of the radiation pattern of the parabolic antenna in the S-band. These measurements provide essential data for optimizing the antenna design and parameters, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the communication system. During testing, both simulated and experimental radiation patterns of the gain were obtained, along with key antenna parameters such as Equivalent Isotopically Radiated Power, Input Power Flux Density, and the Gain-to-Noise Temperature Ratio. A comparison between measured and calculated results, including measurement accuracy and error budgets, demonstrated good agreement.

References

Li Ye., Wang M., Hwang K., Li Z., Ji T. (2023) LEO Satellite Constellation for Global-Scale Remote Sensing with On-Orbit Cloud AI Computing. IEEE Transactions on Aerospace. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, 16, 9369 – 9381. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTARS.2023.3316298 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTARS.2023.3316298

Cedric Westphal, Lin Han, Richard Li. (2023) LEO satellite networking relaunched: Survey and current research challenges. ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies, 4, 4, 711-744. https://doi.org/10.52953/LWXC1928 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52953/LWXC1928

Manuel Arrebola., Leandro de Haro, Jose A Encina. (2008) Analysis of Dual-Reflector Antennas with a Reflec-tarray as Subreflector. IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 50, 6, 39 – 51. https://doi.org/10.1109/MAP. 2008.4768921 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MAP.2008.4768921

Taeyoung Kim. (2024) An Analysis of Issues Related to Attenuation by Atmospheric Factors in the Frequency Bands for Radar Systems. Journal of the Korean Military Science and Technology Society, 27, N6, 657- 664. https://doi.org/10.9766/KIMST.2024.27.6.657 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9766/KIMST.2024.27.6.657

Dhanush S., Sreelakshmi K., Ranjit G., Dora K., Susarla Hari. (2023) LNA Design for LEO Space S-Band Applications. Proceeding of the 6th International Conference on Computation System and Information Technology for Sustainable Solutions (CSITSS), Bangalore, India. IEEE Xplore. https://doi.org/10.1109/CSITSS57437.2022.10026407 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/CSITSS57437.2022.10026407

Rodrigues G., Angevain J.C, Santiago-Prowald J. (2013) Shape optimization of reconfigurable antenna reflectors. CEAS Space J., 5, 221–232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-013-0038-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-013-0038-5

Evans G.E., Schrank H.E. (2024) A Planar Series-Feed Antenna Array with an Extremely Low Sidelobe Level. October 2024. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters,1 - 5. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2024.3483269 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/LAWP.2024.3483269

Rui Chen, Zhenyang Tian, Wen-Xuan Long, Xiaodong Wang, Wei Zhang (2023) Hybrid Mechanical and Electronic Beam Steering for Maximizing OAM Channel Capacity. IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, 22, 1, 534 - 549. https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2022.3195988. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2022.3195988

Marco Lisi (2002) Phased arrays for satellite communications: a system engineering approach. Proceedings of the 2000 IEEE International Conference on Phased Array Systems and Technology (Cat. No.00TH8510). IEEE Xplore. https://doi.org/10.1109/PAST.2000.858938 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/PAST.2000.858938

Raúl Igual, Carlos Medrano, Inmaculada Plaza Carlos Orrite (2013) Adaptive tracking algorithms to improve the use of computing resources. IET Computer Vision, 7(6), 415 – 424. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-cvi.2012.0016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-cvi.2012.0016

Pedram Mousavi, Lotfollah Shafai, Veidt B., Dewdney P. (2001) Feed-Reflector design for large adaptive reflector antenna (LAR). IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 49(8), 1142 – 1154. https://doi.org/10.1109/8.943309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/8.943309

Zhao P., Chen N., Li Y., Feng C. (2023) Cross-Polarization Interference Cancellation in Satellite Communication. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Electronic Engineering and Informatics (EEI), Wuhan, China, 391 – 395. https://doi.org/10.1109/EEI59236.2023.10212784 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/EEI59236.2023.10212784

Baktybekov K.S., Bochkova E.N., Korol V.V., Murushkin M.S., Zhumazhanov B.R. (2024) Design of Software Defined Radio of Ground Station for Receiving Nanosatellites Image Data in S-band. Eurasian Physical Technical Journal. 21, 4(50), 79 – 87. https://doi.org/10.31489/2024No4/79-87 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31489/2024No4/79-87

Fasold D. (2006) Measurement Performance of Basic Compact Range Concepts. Proceedings of the 21st Antenna Measurement Technical Association (AMTA), Europe, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1109/RAST.2015.7208382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/RAST.2015.7208382

Hunscher C., Hartmann J. (2007) Satellite Antenna Measurements. Proceedings of the 2nd International ITG Conference on Antennas, Munich, Germany, 25 – 32. https://doi.org/10.1109/INICA.2007.4353925 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/INICA.2007.4353925

Velasco C., Tipantuña C. (2017) Meteorological picture reception system using software defined radio (SDR). Proceeding of the IEEE 2nd Ecuador Technical Chapters Meeting, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1109/ETCM.2017.8247551 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ETCM.2017.8247551

Farrar A. (1985) Computer Models for Determination of Satellite Power-Flux-Density Limits. Proceeding of the 6th Symposium and Technical Exhibition on Electromagnetic Compatibility. Zurich, Switzerland, 315 – 320. https://doi.org/10.23919/EMC.1985.10798853 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23919/EMC.1985.10798853

Ohmaru K., Mikuni Y. (1984) Direct G/T Measurement for Satellite Broadcasting Receivers. IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting. BC-30, 2, 38 – 43. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBC.1984.266529 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TBC.1984.266529

MODELING AND MEASUREMENT OF ANTENNA CHARACTERISTICS OF A SATELLITE STATION BASED ON SOFTWARE-DEFINED RADIO