Broadband Crossed Dipole Membrane Antenna (BCMA)

Broadband Crossed Dipole Membrane Antenna

MMA’s Broadband Crossed Dipole Membrane Antenna (“BCMA”) creates a constrained feed, dual-polarization VHF antenna using two deployed planar membranes, an active layer and a ground-plane layer. This approach creates a planar aperture of roughly 94cm x 94cm, or half wavelength per side. The proposed antenna will stow within a 10 cm cubic (1U) form factor to support CubeSat applications, and satisfy the proposed requirements.

To accomplish this high compaction ratio, the architecture takes advantage of MMA technologies such as high-strain composite booms, tensioned thin-film membranes, and low-profile launch restraints. While fundamentally broadband in nature, the BCMA is nominally targeting the frequencies of 137 MHz and 255 MHz to address VHF/P dual-band. The crossed dipole’s dual polarization leverages MMA’s ongoing R&D technologies into an innovative system architecture to satisfy mission needs. By sizing the BCMA to fit in a 1U (10cm x 10cm x 10cm) volume, MMA is enabling cubesat and nanosats to achieve performance previously only possible through larger spacecraft. On this model, far-field simulations were completed and showed that the directivity of the BCMA exceeds the specified 0 dBi gain level and reaches 1.26 dBi and 4.72 dBi at 137 MHz and 255 MHz, respectively, with the 0.9 m² aperture.

Key characteristic:

• Stowed volume fits into 1U