Sri International

Leon Tao

David A Watt

Mark F Schutzer

John J Buonocore

Bryan Klofas

Steven Chen

William Hoskins

Todd Koumrian

Michael Cousins

Scott Gulkin

Roman Y Novoselov

Samson Phan

Small, low-cost satellite systems, like CubeSats or other microsatellites, can exhibit reduced reliability relative to higher-cost satellite systems. This can result in difficulty identifying, communicating with, and tracking such satellite systems when they fail. Provided herein are reliable, low-cost, low-energy, turn-key systems for identification and tracking of small satellites that can be readily added to a microsatellite with minimal integration costs and while occupying a minimal amount of volume, mass, and external area of the host satellite. These systems are electrically isolated from the satellite bus, being powered by internal batteries or other separate energy sources and providing reliable identification and tracking even when the other systems of the satellite have failed. These improved identification and tracking systems include space environment sensors to maintain the system in a very-low-power state while the system is in vehicle processing and transit on Earth, extending device lifetime and reducing cost and weight.

Satellite identification tag

Implementation of radio frequency applications in satellite environments can be constrained by size, mass, cost, and power limitations. These applications can include radar, communications, radio astronomy, or other scientific or industrial applications. A variety of systems are provided to facilitate recording of baseband radio frequency signals at high bandwidth and low power using low-cost components. These systems include field-programmable gate arrays or other programmable logic devices integrating between high-frequency ADCs and two or more multiplexed non-volatile storage mediums. Also provided are systems for providing calibration and self-test functionality in a low-cost, flexible, low-power radio frequency frontend. These systems include high-frequency switches configured to allow a calibration and/or self-test pulse to be acquired for each radar pulse generated by the system.

CubeSat radar systems

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Leon Tao