MADE IN GERMANY

IQ wireless’ product portfolio comprises

high performance radio communication so-

lutions in order to provide flexible and high-

ly efficient broadband data communication

between satellites and ground stations as

well as between various satellites.

Based on cost-effective design and by using

commercial-off-the-shelf components (COTS),

the satellite radio equipment has been quali-

fied for several years of operation in low

earth orbit (LEO).

The radio devices operate in L band, S band,

X band (frequency ranges from 1.5 to

8.5 GHz) and allow payload data rates of

25 Mbps+ in downlink direction depending

on the actual configuration.

Common applications include scientific mis-

sions, Earth observation, remote sensing and

communication solutions.

The outstanding hardware and software plat-

form enables a fast, flexible and reliable ad-

aptation to customer specific requirements.

Here, dedicated communication systems, e.g.

for multi-access satellite solutions or IoT ap-

plications could be provided.

XLink

HiSPiCo

SLink

SLink-Phy

NEXT-OBP

Patch Antenna

the satellite radio solution provider

Radio Communication Equipment for Small Satellites by IQ wireless GmbH

IQ wireless GmbH has been developing and manufacturing various components for radio communi-

cation systems from/to small satellites to be operated in a low earth orbit environment.

Based on a low-cost (COTS) design (= commercial off the shelf components which are not specially

qualified for space applications), qualification tests for all satellite transceivers have been performed

on a prototype level and have included the following tests:

• mechanical / vibration / shock as for common launchers

• thermal vacuum (cyclic tests)

• EMC (electromagnetic compatibility)

• radiation / TID (total ionization dose) up to 10 krad (Si)

Basically, three different transmitter and transceiver solutions are provided. All of them operate in the

S band at 2.x GHz. Furthermore, suitable flat antennas to be interfaced to these radio modules are

offered. Please find detailed technical descriptions as follows.

Highlights

SDR high speed data links

Micro, nano or pico satellite usage

Bidirectional communication links

Downlink / TM & Payload 25 Mbps+

Uplink / Tele-command 64 kbps+

XLink X Band Transceiver SDR

Physical layer according to CCSDS protocols

Optional high speed proprietary physical layer

Key Specifications

X band TX operation: 8,025-8,500 MHz

X band RX operation: 7,145-7,250 MHz

Operational mode: FDD / Full duplex / Half duplex

Data rate Sat2Ground: 25 Mbps+

Data rate Ground2Sat: 64 kbps+

Linear RF output power: up to +30 dBm (2x +27dBm)

automatic Doppler shift

compensation in Rx

Low power consumption: up to 15 W (Rx+Tx)

up to 5 W (Rx only)

XLink is an advanced transceiver system (Software Defined Radio - SDR) for X band

communication links of small satellites in LEO environment. The mechanical dimen-

sions fit for 1U CubeSat as well as for larger satellites. The radio interface and proto-

col are developed according to standard CCSDS protocols.

Downlink data rates with net payload rates of 25 Mbps+ will be possible. Supported

modulation schemes include BPSK, QPSK and higher order types of modulation with

appropriate FEC encoding schemes. Based on the general concept, even higher data

rates of more than 100 Mbps may be feasible. The satellite receiver (Uplink) used for

telecommand purposes of the satellites is designed for a standard CCSDS BPSK with

BCH coding at least 64 kbps. Alternative X band or S band uplink receiver frequen-

cies are usable. Adaptive modulation and coding schemes (AMC) are applicable to

maximize data throughput.

A special feature of the XLink transceiver is the optional application of dual polarized

antenna elements which could be used for MIMO (multiple input multiple output) sig-

nal processing to enable a higher radio channel capacity and/or redundancy.

XLink is developed in cooperation with TU Berlin.

HiSPiCO S Band

Transmitter

Highlights

High speed data links from LEO

Miniaturized, low power transmitter

Downlink / Telemetry up to 1.6 Mbps

Turbo-Code FEC

HiSPiCO is a transmitter system for S band communication links from small satel-

lites in LEO environment. It’s a cost effective, miniaturized, low power solution for

Cubesats with TRL9 achieved. The wideband downlink system provides up to 1 Mbps

at frequencies 2.1 - 2.5 GHz. Optional patch antennas are available.

Key Specifications

S band TX operation: 2,200-2,290 MHz

(opt. 2,100-2,500 MHz)

Data Rate (Payload): 1 Mbps

(opt. 0.4 – 1.6 Mbps)

RF Bandwidth: 1,300 kHz

RF Power Output: +27 dBm (opt. +29 dBm)

Modulation: DQPSK

FEC: Turbo-Code

Low power consumption: 5 W

DC supply voltage: 3.3 – 5 V

Dimensions: 95 x 46 x 15 mm³ (Fits into 1U)

Low mass: 100 gram (include housing)

Date Interface: 3 wire (SPI)

Temperature Range: -20 ... +50°C

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 9

Supplementary Equipment: Receiver for Ground Station

SLink S Band Tranceiver

SLink-Phy S Band Transceiver

Highlights

High speed data links from/to LEO

Micro, nano or pico satellite usage

Configurability for various modes:

Sat2Ground, Ground2Sat and

Sat2Sat bidirectional communica-

tion links

SLink is a compact transceiver system

for S band communication links of small-

satellites in LEO environment. SLink is a

full duplex transceiver for huge payload

data rates in downlink and an integrated

uplink for satellite telecommand. It is

based on Software-Defined-Radio (SDR)

architecture. SLink is a key component

of the SNET project of TU Berlin for eval-

uation of swarm configurations and con-

stellations of small satellites in orbit. For

this purpose the implemented intersatel-

Key Specifications / SLink-Phy

S band operation: 2,025-2,300 MHz

Operational Mode: FDD / Full duplex

Data rate Sat2Ground: up to 20 Mbps

Modulation QPSK

Data rate Ground2Sat: up to 256 kbps

Modulation BPSK

Linear RF output power: up to +27 dBm (adjustable)

Automatic Doppler shift

compensation for Rx: up to 125 kHz

Low power consumption: 3 - 4.5 W receive

12 W max. (RX+TX)

DC supply voltage: 7 - 18 V

Ultra small volume: 50 x 55 x 94 mm³ (w/o housing)

Low mass: <190 gram

Data and control interface: 3-wire TX, 4-wire RX

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 8/9

SLink-Phy is a downsized transceiver

system for S band communication links

of small satellites in LEO environment.

The mechanical dimensions fit for

1U CubeSat as well as for larger satel-

lites. SLink-Phy is a full duplex trans-

ceiver conforms to standard CCSDS pro-

tocols. It’s a very cost effective solution

for high data rates (up to 20 Mbps).

Patch Antenna

Highlights

High gain, small shape antenna

Flexible design for various frequencies

Single or dual patch for Up- and

Downlink (RHCP and LHCP)

Patch Antennas

Patch antennas are provided for receive and transmit radio equipment for Cubesats

as well as for other small satellites. Various design proposals are available. They in-

clude either single patch antennas or dual patch antennas for separated Tx and Rx

ports thereby minimizing the duplex filter requirements. Furthermore the antennas

will be designed on customer specific requirements in terms of frequency, band-

width, size, gain and pattern.

Key Specifications (Example)

Frequency range: 2,100-2,500 MHz

Bandwidth: 50 MHz (within frequency band)

Gain: 6 dBi (typ.)

Vertical beam: +/-40°

Horizontal beam: +/-40°

F/B Ratio: >20 dB

VSWR: <1.25 @ centre frequency

<1.80 @ full BW

Impedance: 50 Ohm

Polarization: RHCP (opt. LHCP)

Connector: SMA (f)

Dimensions: 70 x 70 mm²

Weight: 49 gram

Optional: Dual Patch for TX and RX

NEXT-OBP is an advanced technology demonstration system to be operated on the future German

Heinrich-Hertz-Communication-Satellite. The SDR concept is based on FPGA and DSP processing

units and an RF transceiver offering L band interface. Advanced communication technologies and ex-

periments will be implemented and tested on the geostationary Heinrich-Hertz-Satellite in cooperation

with DLR-IKN Oberpfaffenhofen.

Key Specifications

RX / TX frequency: 1,500 MHz (L band)

Data Rate (Payload): up to 10 Mbps

RF Bandwidth: 10 MHz

RF Power Output: -20 dBm

Modulation: BPSK, QPSK

FEC: Turbo-Code

Power consumption: <25 W

Dimensions: 110 x 160 x 160 mm³

Orbit: geostationary

NEXT-OBP for Heinrich-Hertz-Satellite-Mission

Highlights

Advanced technology demonstration

on German Heinrich-Hertz-Satellite

FPGA and DSP processing unit

Geostationary application

The Heinrich Hertz Satellite Mission for the customer Ger-

man Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und

Raumfahrt; DLR) is a platform for communication technolo-

gy development as well as infrastructure for German institu-

tions and governmental use. The Heinrich Hertz Satellite

Mission is aiming beyond the limits of conventional repeater

technologies enabling numerous participating institutions

and companies to develop prototype units and thus, as a result, paving the way for highly flexible and

efficient payload configuration.

SMALLGEO TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES HEINRICH HERTZ SATELLITE MISSION

OHB_System_Heinrich_Hertz_2015

NEXT-OBP

My notes:

IQ wireless GmbH www.iq-wireless.com / www.iq-spacecom.com

Tel. +49 30 639280-500 info@iq-spacecom.com