Poster Presentation

Single-Band Dual-Balloon Digital Communications Experiment

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Abstract

The University of North Dakota (UND) is planning to operate its first satellite system in 2025.  A secondary mission objective for this system of two satellites is to provide the amateur radio community with a single-band VHF repeater on orbit which operates like terrestrial VHF repeaters in the 2-meter amateur band.  The cross-band transceivers on each of these two spacecraft will operate together, using a UHF cross-link, to provide a single-band VHF digital repeater.  Their separation distance will be adequately managed with onboard propulsion to avoid de-sensing the receiver on the satellite that provides the input for this on-orbit VHF repeater.  Such a repeater system will only require a simple amateur radio ground station with a single antenna and 2-meter transceiver, unlike typical cross-band repeaters on orbit which require two antennae and a cross-band transceiver on the ground. 

To demonstrate this type of on-orbit repeater system and promote this UND satellite system across North Dakota, the UND Space Operations Group (SOG) will build and fly a high-altitude balloon (HAB) mission involving two separate balloons which provides the same functionality as this future satellite system.  Each HAB will carry a cross-band transceiver not unlike the future satellite system.  Working together, the two transceivers will provide a single-band digital repeater which operates like terrestrial VHF repeaters in the 2-meter amateur band.  This will be SOG’s first major near-space mission, fostering this research group’s near-space hardware, software and operations abilities, and enhancing its ability to develop and conduct future space missions.

Keywords: Repeater

How to Cite:

Fevig, R. A., Blumenthal, A., Turner, C., Beretta, L., Stanley, J., Hoff, G. & Scott, C., (2024) “Single-Band Dual-Balloon Digital Communications Experiment”, Academic High Altitude Conference 2024(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ahac.17999