A UHF CPW-fed patch antenna for nanosatellite store and forward mission

This paper reveals a new design of a meander line ultra-high frequency (UHF) nanosatellite antenna for nanosatellite communication, intended for potential applications in nanosatellite store and forward missions. The design utilizes a modified meander line as principal radiating element. Co planer waveguide feeding with LC impedance has been applied for impedance matching to result in a compact UHF antenna of 40 × 40 mm2 dimension. The prototype is fabricated using Rogers 5880 and measured. The antenna achieved resonance at 900 MHz. Response of the antenna have been investigated in free space and while mounted with a nanosatellite structure. The antenna achieved resonance at 900 MHz in free space and at 896 MHz with the nanosatellite structure. This phenomenon has been analyzed considering a typical 1U nanosatellite body with the antenna. The antenna achieved positive realized gain of 0.74 dB at the resonant frequency with approximately 67% of radiation efficiency.