Antennas

The deployable Log Periodic (DLP) antenna is a broadband antenna that packages for platforms as small as CubeSats with > 6dBi of gain. This small antenna can support frequencies from 200 MHz to 2 GHz or more, while stowing as small as 1U of volume. Larger systems can support frequencies down to 100 MHz and lower.

The deployable Log Periodic Membrane Array (LPMA) antenna consists of four membrane gores. Eliminating the lower frequency range dramatically reduces the deployed surface area. Slightly larger satellite platforms with increased attitude control capabilities may choose to take advantage of the increased gain offered by the LPMA in the 100 MHz – 300 MHz band.

Both approaches target reliability and performance, while minimizing size, weight, and cost. The log periodic radiating structure not only meets the VHF band requirement, but holds the potential for significant bandwidth.

Four of these deployable UHF antennas achieved flight heritage in 2023.

This L-Band Radar/Radiometer meta-lens antenna is created by using a 6+meter multi-layer membrane and a low profile array feed. It has superior packaging efficiency and lower deployed inertia in comparison to similar size mesh reflectors. It also greatly reduces complexity of  balancing the system for on-orbit rotation used to sweep the desired beam footprint required.  The resulting mission concept packages within a rideshare volume, which means you can do BIG science at a fraction of the cost of conventional missions. 

Learn more about how MMA’s meta-lens antenna is supporting NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office with our GLOWS mission.

NeuSAR is a high-performance small satellite (160 kg) with a fully polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna — the next generation DaHGR. Unlike optical cameras that are restricted to daytime and clear weather imaging conditions, SAR “creates” images by sending radio waves to the Earth’s surface and collecting the returns to form images. NeuSAR is thus able to capture images both day and night, as well as in difficult environmental conditions such as heavy cloud cover, rainfall and even haze. 

Sinuous antennas are attractive due to their symmetric bi-directional beam patterns, low axial ratio across larger beam angles, and broad bandwidth. MMA’s sinuous antenna includes custom, flight heritage components including an electronic controller that manages the payload prior to and throughout the deployment, high-strain composite tape booms, and thin-film membranes. It stows in a very small volume — 20 cm x 15 cm x 10 cm — ideal for small spacecraft and deploys a 1m² aperture. It delivers low frequency and high reliability in a very efficient package.

LAMBDA sinuous antenna shown with non-RF membranes, fully deployed with truss and outrigger booms visible.

The P-DaHGR, or Pantograph-Deployable High-Gain Reflectarray, uses the same lightweight, flexible membranes as the T-DaHGR but tension is created using a pantograph hoop. Decoupling the membrane tension from the structural loads enables a smaller stowed envelope at the expense of higher deployed inertia compared to T-DaHGR.

The T-DaHGR, or Tape-Deployable High-Gain Reflectarray, uses tape springs to tension the membranes and react structural loads. This large, spatially-fed reflectarray enables large apertures with low deployed inertia, and can be configured to support wider bandwidth than traditional reflectarrays.

This antenna configuration deploys a mosaic of rigid elements to form unique antenna apertures and support higher frequencies than might be supported by membrane-based DaHGR systems. MMA is currently developing a high aspect ratio (>4:1) 4 sq. meter aperture antenna that stows in a 27U form factor. This technology also holds the potential of a deployed multi-functional structure (solar array + antenna).

The 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.

MMA rigid antenna systems are designed to meet the exacting requirements of high frequency applications requiring parabolic reflectors. These antennas are designed to meet the growing demand for bandwidth as satellite communications systems expand into higher frequencies. This design supports up to 19 simultaneous beams, is 1 meter in diameter and supports frequencies up to 100 GHz for SATCOM space payloads.