The Quadrifilar Helix SATCOM Antenna represents the best of STAR-H's development of aerospace antenna systems for space systems. This space flight qualified antenna was developed and tested in 2006 and 2007, has been successfully integrated into two separate satellite buses and orbited on TacSat-3 as a part of the Ocean Data Telemetry Microsatellite Link (ODTML). ODTML was a secondary Office of Naval Research (ONR) payload on TacSat-3 and measures ocean data from a distributed network of sea-based sensor buoys.

The antenna features circular polarization and can be configured as either Right-Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP) or Left-Hand Cricular Polarization (LHCP) at the time of manufacture. The space-flight-qualified version is designed for LEO satellite missions; however, the system's design is flexible and may be modified to meet other characteristics necessary for specific satellite missions.

Our quadrifilar antenna implements a unique passive tuning and matching system that provides a high gain-to-size ratio, allowing for reliable, high-gain performance without requring a physically large antenna.

STAR-H has gained invaluable insight and experience from this antenna program that is indispensable for future satellite RF antenna development. As orbital assets become increasingly valuable and commonplace, we are prepared to develop additional sophisticated antennas for these highly specialized applications where strict RF characteristics, operational requirements, and volume and mass constraints must be met.Vast resources at STAR-H's disposal, including access to laboratories with satellite hardware experience and test facilities necessary for launch and space environment testing, place it in a position ideal for such development.

Our history of optimized, reliable antennas for harsh environments, combined with this system, establish the leverage necessary for catering to satellite communications solutions. STAR-H is continually ready to accept new challenges in this domain and is ready to deliver the best products to maintain reliable satellite-to-ground and satellite-to-satellite communication links.

Features

• High gain with a small antenna
• Space qualified and proven units available
• Terrestrial units available for lower-cost applications
• Left-hand or right-hand circular polarization
• Radomes and application-specific mounting hardware available

Applications

• Qualified and proven for on-orbit satellite communications
• Ground stations / base stations
• Remote monitoring stations
• Mobile and vehicle radio links

Specifications

Provided specifications represent the units developed for TacSat-3. The system is customizable to different applications, frequency bands, and mounting configurations.

Enclosures and mounting hardware are available upon request and can be tailored to customer requirements.

*Specify at Ordering