Self-testing solution are very useful not only for make sure that devices are operating in the correct way, but also to realize system auto-calibration: auto-calibration is based on the experimentally extraction of proper parameters and it is usually realized by adopting radio frequency noise injection subsystems. In these cases, the systems use power acquisition devices, based on diode detectors, to perform the measurements; this solution denotes poor reconfigurability, unless a very complicated system architecture is adopted. In this paper we prove that the measurements needed for the over mentioned purpose, can be performed avoiding the application of complex architectures, by using software-defined radios with high level of potential reconfigurability and flexibility.

This paper investigates, for the first time, the feasibility of harmonic tag sensors based on orthogonally polarized waves. The main tag building blocks (circular and dual polarization antennas, Schottky diode frequency doubler and phase shifter) are designed, implemented with standard PCBs technology and materials, and experimentally characterized. Finally a proof-of-concept of the whole system operating at 1.04/2.08 GHz is proposed and validated in laboratory. The system can recover the encoded phase regardless the interrogation distance.

This paper proposes a Low-Noise Block (LNB) downconverter operating in the Ku-band for Cubesat transponders. The frontend is composed by a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) and two switchable Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) filters, providing a frequency reconfigurability to the system. The LNB is completed by a downconversion unit, constituted by a mixer, a PLL frequency synthesizer and an IF amplifier. A first breadboard features an overall gain of 54 dB with a 2.3 dB noise figure. The worst case linearity performance indicates an input-referred 1 dB compression point (P1dB) and a third-order intercept point (IIP3) equal to -27 dBm and -16 dBm respectively. This work is important since demonstrates a low-cost solution for satellite radio apparatuses based on commercial components and standard PCB.

This paper proposes a low-noise receiver frontend for nanosatellite and Cubesat platforms. The frontend is composed by a Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) and two Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) filters, providing a frequency reconfigurability to the system. The two filters operate in the 13 and in the 14 GHz uplink bands, and are selected by means of a pair of solid-state SPDT switches. As a results, 15.5 dB gain with 2.4 dB noise figure for the 13 GHz configuration and 17.8 dB gain with 2.3 dB noise figure for the 14 GHz configuration are obtained. This work is important since demonstrates a low-cost solution for satellite radio apparatuses based on commercial components on a standard PCB.

This paper proposes a Ka-band receiver front-end for future CubeSats Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary (GEO) inter-satellite links. The receiver is able to support very high data rates (up to 100 Mbit/s) in Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) when in the line of sight of a GEO satellite that is equipped with a steerable 70-cm antenna and transmitting a 25-W signal. The originality of the proposed approach is twofold. First we will demonstrate the receiver feasibility based on a class of miniaturized and low-cost microwave integrated circuits, currently available on the market. In particular, our receiver is based on a novel combination of integrated Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNA) with an image rejection filter, the latter exploiting the Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) technology. An optimization of the via placement proved to be able to reduce the need for shielding apparatuses, thus simplifying the mechanics and reducing mass, volume and hardware costs. Secondly, we will propose a noise injection circuit capable of measuring and calibrating the receiver gain, also during in-orbit operation. Self testing capabilities are particularly relevant for CubeSats because the usage of commercial components poses serious reliability issues.