A dual-band antenna for a sounding rocket
Résumé
Sounding rockets are relatively small rockets developed primarily for high-altitude experiments, and are used in many
academic and low-cost research missions. Antennas for sounding rockets need to be compact, lightweight, omnidirectional
and have a form factor that allows them to be integrated on the rocket without causing drag, which can make their design
challenging. A group at ENSEIRB-MATMECA, Bordeaux Institute of Technology, used CST STUDIO SUITE to develop a low
cost antenna that can be integrated into the nose cone of a rocket and transmit payload and telemetry data in the
869.4–869.65 MHz and 2.4–2.4835 GHz frequency bands.In the course of flight, the maximum distance between the rocket
and the ground base station is 2.5 km, and the elevation relative to the base station varies between 90° and 160° (Figure 1).
However, to minimise the risk from malfunctions such as parachute failures, the antenna was designed to have maximal
elevation coverage. Full specifications can be found in [1] – the most critical is that in the upper band, the maximum allowed
gain variation is 8.7 dB.