A UHF CPW-fed patch antenna for nanosatellite store and forward mission

This paper reveals a new design of a meander line ultra-high frequency (UHF) nanosatellite antenna for nanosatellite communication, intended for potential applications in nanosatellite store and forward missions. The design utilizes a modified meander line as principal radiating element. Co planer waveguide feeding with LC impedance has been applied for impedance matching to result in a compact UHF antenna of 40 × 40 mm 2 dimension. The prototype is fabricated using Rogers 5880 and measured. The antenna achieved resonance at 900 MHz. Response of the antenna have been investigated in free space and while mounted with a nanosatellite structure. The antenna achieved resonance at 900 MHz in free space and at 896 MHz with the nanosatellite structure. This phenomenon has been analyzed considering a typical 1U nanosatellite body with the antenna. The antenna achieved positive realized gain of 0.74 dB at the resonant frequency with approximately 67% of radiation efficiency.