Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2025

Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface
Published on: July 30, 2020
A Ku-Band Compact Offset Cylindrical Reflector Antenna with High Gain for Low-Earth Orbit Sensing Applications
Bashar A F Esmail1, Dustin Isleifson1,2, Lotfollah Shafai1
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V6, Canada.
This study presents a compact Ku-band offset cylindrical reflector antenna designed for CubeSat missions. The antenna achieves high gain and efficiency, enabling effective Earth Observation for Arctic monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Antenna Design
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- CubeSats offer cost-effective space missions, requiring compact, high-gain antennas.
- Earth Observation missions, particularly for Arctic monitoring, demand specialized antenna solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and validate a compact Ku-band offset cylindrical reflector antenna for CubeSat Earth Observation.
- To achieve high gain and efficiency for monitoring Arctic snow and sea ice.
Main Methods:
- Design of a 110 × 149 mm² Ku-band offset cylindrical reflector antenna.
- Development of a 2 × 8 element patch array feed using a lightweight Rogers substrate.
- Utilized simulations and measurements for antenna analysis and validation.
Main Results:
- Achieved a gain of 25 dBi and 52% aperture efficiency at 17.2 GHz.
- Offset configuration minimized feed blockage, preserving antenna gain.
- Demonstrated good agreement between simulation and measurement results.
Conclusions:
- The designed antenna is suitable for CubeSat-based Earth Observation missions.
- The compact, deployable design facilitates integration into a 1U CubeSat.
- The antenna's performance supports effective Arctic snow and sea ice monitoring.
More Related Videos
07:14Tracking Infiltration Front Depth Using Time-lapse Multi-offset Gathers Collected with Array Antenna Ground Penetrating Radar
Published on: May 1, 2018
12:57Resonance Fluorescence of an InGaAs Quantum Dot in a Planar Cavity Using Orthogonal Excitation and Detection
Published on: October 13, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Circular Orbits and Critical Velocity for Satellites
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) first suggested that the Earth and all other planets orbit the Sun in...
Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments
Influence of Earth's Curvature and Atmospheric Refraction on Leveling
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
Azimuths and Bearings
Geoid and Ellipsoid