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Impedance matching of electrically small patch antennas on Cubesats in the s-band
Author(s)
Nel, Carel Jacobus
Date Issued
2023
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
Antennas are important components in radio frequency (RF) communication systems to
convert electrical signals to electromagnetic (EM) waves, which are radiated into free
space. In these modern times, electronic designers are working towards the miniaturisation
of electronic hardware. CubeSat communication system components, such as patch
antennas, are no exception. Electrically-small antennas are difficult to impedance match
and to achieve acceptable performance characteristics.
The motivation for carrying out the research and an introduction into the communication
system onboard a typical CubeSat is presented. The objectives and research methodology,
which were implemented to design and impedance match an electrically-small patch
antenna are then presented.
An in-depth investigation into the theory of microstrip patch antennas is presented followed
by passive and non-Foster impedance matching techniques.
Then the design of electrically-small microstrip patch antennas are presented. Four patch
antennas were designed and simulated in Agilent design system (ADS) and FEKO. Both
internal and external impedance matching techniques were implemented.
Three patch antenna prototypes were built and tested and the measured performance parameters
compared to the specifications and simulated results.
The lowering of the resonant frequency of a micostrip patch antenna by implenting miniaturisation
techniques produced an input return loss of 16.678 dB, a realised gain 2.874 dBi
and an axial ratio of 2.351 dB.
convert electrical signals to electromagnetic (EM) waves, which are radiated into free
space. In these modern times, electronic designers are working towards the miniaturisation
of electronic hardware. CubeSat communication system components, such as patch
antennas, are no exception. Electrically-small antennas are difficult to impedance match
and to achieve acceptable performance characteristics.
The motivation for carrying out the research and an introduction into the communication
system onboard a typical CubeSat is presented. The objectives and research methodology,
which were implemented to design and impedance match an electrically-small patch
antenna are then presented.
An in-depth investigation into the theory of microstrip patch antennas is presented followed
by passive and non-Foster impedance matching techniques.
Then the design of electrically-small microstrip patch antennas are presented. Four patch
antennas were designed and simulated in Agilent design system (ADS) and FEKO. Both
internal and external impedance matching techniques were implemented.
Three patch antenna prototypes were built and tested and the measured performance parameters
compared to the specifications and simulated results.
The lowering of the resonant frequency of a micostrip patch antenna by implenting miniaturisation
techniques produced an input return loss of 16.678 dB, a realised gain 2.874 dBi
and an axial ratio of 2.351 dB.
Additional information
Thesis (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2023
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Nel_Carel_208028633.pdf
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