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Programmable Picosat Transceiver

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9453-12-M-0042
Agency Tracking Number: F112-072-1271
Amount: $149,483.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF112-072
Solicitation Number: 2011.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-11-16
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
11711 N. Creek Pkwy S., Suite D113
Bothell, WA -
United States
DUNS: 877425330
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Nestor Voronka
 Chief Technologist
 (425) 486-0100
 voronka@tethers.com
Business Contact
 Robert Hoyt
Title: CEO&Chief Scientist
Phone: (425) 486-0100
Email: hoyt@tethers.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

ABSTRACT: The goal of the Space Test Program operated by the US Air Force is to enable the rapid development of emerging space technologies by providing economical flight opportunities to increase a technology"s TRL. In particular, the CubeSat form factor has emerged as an economical platform for testing technolo-gies that can be made to fit in the 10x10-30 cm form factor. Unfortunately, the lack of an SGLS trans-ceiver sized for these pico-satellite platforms has hampered the use of the flight proven ground stations in the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). These rapidly developed and launched test missions cannot rely on having fixed frequency assignments within the unified S-band, but must still maintain compatibility with the signaling requirements of the AFSCN. Utilizing its experience building and flying CubeSats, TUI proposes to leverage its existing CubeSat software-defined radio platform to build a pro-grammable SGLS transceiver with lower size, weight and power (SWaP) than what is currently available. After constructing and demonstrating a brassboard prototype in the Phase I effort, we will design and build a functionally complete transceiver in the Phase II effort suitable for flight qualification. BENEFIT: This SBIR effort will produce a compact SGLS/USB transceiver in a 0.25U CubeSat form factor that will provide high-speed data downlink capabilities for CubeSat and other pico-satellite missions. This transceiver will increase the downlink capabilities of CubeSat missions while reducing total mission cost.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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