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 [email protected]