EnduroSat UHF User manual

USER MANUAL
UHF Antenna

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UHF ANTENNA – USER MANUAL
1 Change Log........................................................................................................................ 3
2 Acronyms List ..................................................................................................................... 4
3 Overview............................................................................................................................. 5
4 Highlighted Features ........................................................................................................... 5
5 Functional Description......................................................................................................... 5
6 Hardware Layout ................................................................................................................ 5
7 Characteristics.................................................................................................................... 7
7.1 Frequency.................................................................................................................................7
7.2 Polarization ...............................................................................................................................8
7.3 Connectors ...............................................................................................................................8
7.4 Gain ..........................................................................................................................................9
8 Deployment Mechanism.................................................................................................... 10
9 Materials ........................................................................................................................... 10
10 Mechanical And Environmental Test.................................................................................. 10
11 Included In The Shipment ................................................................................................. 10
12 Handling And Storage....................................................................................................... 11
13 Warnings .......................................................................................................................... 11

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UHF ANTENNA – USER MANUAL
UHF ANTENNA
USER MANUAL
This user manual is specially designed to detail the EnduroSat UHF Antenna module description, functions
and features.
Please read carefully the manual before unpacking the antenna in order to ensure safe and proper use.
Figure 1 – EnduroSat UHF Antenna
1 CHANGE LOG
Date
Version
Note
10/04/2016
Rev 1

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2 ACRONYMS LIST
LHCP
RHCP
RF
UHF
PCB
Left Hand Circular Polarization
Right Hand Circular Polarization
Radio Frequency
Ultra-High Frequency
Printed Circuit Board

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3 OVERVIEW
The antenna is designed to cover the amateur satellite band 435-438 MHz. It has a circular polarization
and uses a redundant burn wire mechanism with feedback for deploying the radiating rods.
4 HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES
• Covers the UHF band for amateur satellite communications 435 – 438MHz.;
• Compatible with EnduroSat Solar panels;
• Circularly polarized;
• Weight: 85 g;
• Insertion loss less than 0.5dB;
• Gain > 0dBi*;
• Max RF output power 3.5W;
• Burn wire mechanism with feedback for deployment
*from simulation
5 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The feed network for the RF part of the antenna is realized using strip lines. Each rod is fed with 90
degrees phase shift so that the antenna has a circular polarization. The antenna has through hole for
connecting it to EnduroSat’ solar panels.
6 HARDWARE LAYOUT
Figure 2 depicts the bottom side of the antenna. All the dimensions are in mm. It uses up to 8 bolts for
mounting to the satellite body (minimum required 4: in this configuration the bolts have to be installed
in the proper location shown in figure 4). There is an opening in the PCB, through which an EnduroSat
solar panel can be connected. The right angle MCX connector, used for connecting the antennato the
communication module, is located at the opening as well.
The thickness of the antenna and the height of the connector is shown on Figure 3. The overall
thickness of the antenna depends on the top cover. It can be a solar panel, a cover or another antenna.
On figure 3 is shown the thickness of the whole antenna with a top cover of 1.6 mm

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Figure 2 - Physical layout bottom side - Dimensions in mm.
Figure 3 - Side view - Dimensions in mm.

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Figure 4 – Proper installation of the 4 bolts configuration.
7 CHARACTERISTICS
7.1 Frequency
Figure 4 shown the measured return loss of the UHF antenna
Figure 5 - measured return loss of the UHF antenna

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7.2 Polarization
LHCP or RHCP with regards to antenna orientation.
7.3 Connectors
Figure 6 - Bottom Side - Connectors location
C1
MCX right angle
C2
Four pin Molex Pico-Lock™

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7.4 Gain
Figures 7 and 8 show the radiation pattern of the antenna
Figure 7
Figure 8

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8 DEPLOYMENT MECHANISM
The deployment mechanism uses burn wire resistors to cut a fishing wire and release the doors holding
the antenna rods. There are two separate circuits of resistors for redundancy. The module features a
feedback network for deployment. It uses a four pin Molex Pico-Lock™ connector with I2C
communication for providing feedback regarding antenna deployment. Two springs are responsible
for the correct deployment of the antenna rods.
9 MATERIALS
The frame used for holding the antenna rods rolled and encapsulated, is made of aluminum with hard
anodization which prevents a short circuit between the frame and the antenna rods. Rods are made
from SMA – Shape Memory Alloy with super elastic property to achieve straight position after release.
All the PCBs are made from FR-4.
10 MECHANICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL TEST
A full campaign of tests at qualification level was performed on the qualification engineering model.
Qualification tests level and duration follow the ESA standard ECSS-E-ST-10-03C and GEVS: GSFC-
STD-7000A. Test performed:
• Thermal Cycling
• Thermal Vacuum
• Random Vibration
• Sine Vibration
• Shock Test
Test report can be provided upon request.
11 INCLUDED IN THE SHIPMENT
EnduroSat provides along with the UHF antenna:
• 2 Coaxial cable 50 Ohm, MCX to MCX and MCX to SMA connectors
• Power and command cable (PTFE Material Jacket, 24AWG), connector MOLEX 504051-04011
• USB stick with user manual
1Available lengths: 13cm
Customized cables and connectors can be provided upon request.

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12 HANDLING AND STORAGE
Particular attention shall be paid to the avoidance of damage to the UHF antenna during handling,
storage and preservation. The handling of the UHF antenna module should be performed in compliance
with the following instructions:
• Handle using PVC, latex, cotton (lint free) or nylon gloves
• The environment where UHF antenna module will be handled shall meet the requirements for
a class environment 100 000, free of contaminants such as dust, oil, grease, fumes and smoke
from any source.
• Store in such a manner as to preclude stress and prevent damage
• To prevent the deterioration, the UHF antenna must be stored in a controlled environment, i.e.
the temperature and humidity levels shall be maintained in the proper ranges:
o Ideal storage temperature range: 15ºC to 27ºC
o Ideal storage humidity range: 30% to 60% relative humidity (RH).
13 WARNINGS
This product uses very fragile components. Observe
precautions for Handling.
This product uses semiconductors that can be damaged by
electrostatic discharge (ESD). Observe precautions for
Handling
Sensitive Electronic device. Do not ship or store near
strong electrostatic, electromagnetic, magnetic or
radioactive fields.

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