COTS CubeSat Radio

Radio is currently the standard mode of CubeSat telecommunication. Hence, there are a variety of COTS CubeSat radio options available.

Here's a list of COTS CubeSat radio system suppliers:

• AstroDev
• Stensat
• ISIS (good luck googling that one)

Here's a preliminary list of commercial CubeSat transmitters useful for a one-way downlink:

• Stensat Radio Beacon
  • Cost: $750
  • Downlink rate: AX.25 Unnumbered Information (UI) packets at 1200 bps AFSK and 9600 bps FSK
  • Transmitter Frequency range: 420-450 MHz or 144-148 MHz (depending on model)
  • Mass: 50g
  • Dimensions: 44.45 x 78.74 (mm) (PCB layout)
  • Power Consumption: <3W
  • More details on the product page: [1]
• ISIS TXS S-Band Transmitter
  • Cost: $9600
  • Downlink rate: up to 100 kbps
  • Transmitter Frequency range: 2100 MHz - 2500 MHz
  • Mass: 62g
  • Dimensions: 90 x 96 x 15 (mm)
  • Power Consumption: <3.5W
  • More details on the product page: [2]
• Integrated S-Band Transmitter
  • Cost: $7300
  • Downlink rate: 1.06 Mbs (max)
  • Transmitter Frequency range: 2200-2300 MHz, adjustable in steps of 100 kHz
  • Mass: 75g
  • Dimensions: 95 x 46 x 15 (mm)
  • More details on the product page: [3]

Here's a preliminary list of commercial CubeSat transceivers useful for bi-directional communication:

• ISIS VHF down UHF up Duplex Transceiver
  • Cost: $9600
  • Downlink rate: 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600 bps
  • Uplink rate: 300 or 1200 bps
  • Transmitter Frequency range: 130 - 160 MHz (VHF)
  • Receiver Frequency range: 400 - 450 Mhz (UHF)
  • Mass: 85g
  • Dimensions: 96 x 90 x 15 (mm)
  • Power Consumption: <1.7W (transmitter on), <0.2W (receiver only)
  • More details on the product page: [4]
• ISIS UHF down VHF up Duplex Transceiver
  • Cost: $9600
  • Downlink rate: 1200, 2400, 4800 or 9600 bps
  • Uplink rate: 1200 bps
  • Transmitter Frequency range: 420-450 MHz (UHF)
  • Receiver Frequency range: 140-150 MHz (VHF)
  • Mass: 75g
  • Dimensions: 96 x 90 x 15 (mm)
  • Power Consumption: <4.0W (transmitter on), <0.480W (receiver only)
  • More details on the product page: [5]
• Astrodev Lithium
  • Cost: ~$5000
  • Downlink rate: Max 77 kbps
  • Power Consumption: < 10.0W; 4.0W transmitter power
  • Efficiency: 40%