SDR-Based Ku-Band Multifeed Receiver for SST

Abstract

In the context of an ever-growing and complex orbital environment, space monitoring and spacecraft tracking is a must when it comes to mitigating space related challenges. In Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) most radio detection techniques use high-gain directional antennas. Nevertheless, these antennas have a limited field of view (FoV), resulting in low detection probability and tracking duration for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) targets. This research presents an SST experimental hardware solution which is aimed at extending the field of view of a 1.8 m Ku-band parabolic dish by equipping it with a multifeed receiver. The incoming satellite signal undergoes processing and analysis utilizing a National Instruments featured software-defined radio (SDR) platform along with its corresponding software application. The field of view of the proposed solution is determined through simulation and experimental tests using a satellite beacon as a target signal. The research shows promising results regarding the use of multifeed structures in SST.

Keywords

• Field of view
• multifeed antenna
• software defined radio
• space surveillance and tracking