Antenna Design for Space Systems - 525.656

This course presents an engineering approach to the design of antennas for space systems. Students will examine antennas for both large and small space based platforms in earth orbit and beyond. Antenna design is presented in the context of the space environment with particular attention to the flight design and testing cycle, thermal and mechanical considerations, space compatible materials, and high power operation. A primary focus of the course will be single, dual and shaped reflector designs including feed network topologies. Several horn antenna designs including corrugated and multimode horns will be covered as well as feed network components. A variety of other antennas including helices, patches, and arrays will be discussed for applications including: Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS); Tracking, Telemetry and Command (TT&C); isoflux; smallsat and cubesat antennas. Course Note(s): This course is cross-listed with 675.756 Antenna Design for Space Systems. ECE students can only register for 525.656. Prerequisite(s): An undergraduate- or graduate-level introductory antenna systems course, or with approval of the instructor.