College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Electrical Engineering Department
Advisor
Dennis Derickson, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Department
Funding Source
The Noyce School of Applied Computing
Date
10-2025
Abstract/Summary
The Sal-E cube sat mission that is planned for launch in 2026 includes a 902-928 MHz receiving module called the Space Quacker Advanced Development (SQUAD) module. The SQUAD module uses the LoRa modulation format for unlicensed uplink to the satellite using the 902-928 MHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. The goal of the SQUAD module is to demonstrate the link robustness of the LoRa communication standard to a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite using this ISM band. To demonstrate this communication link, a 902-928 MHz uplink ground station needs to be established at Cal Poly. The goal of this SURP project is to demonstrate that a student-designed and built circularly polarized “Egg Beater” antenna with a power amplifier is capable of making the LEO link using LoRa modulation with adequate signal-to-noise ratio margin. The use of the “Egg Beater” type of antenna, LoRa Modulation, and a power amplifier greatly simplifies the uplink design by eliminating the need for an expensive Az-El rotator and complicated antenna tracking needs while still providing a reliable satellite uplink signal.
October 1, 2025.
Included in
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/ceng_surp/92