Towards Wireless Ranging and Synchronization using CubeSat Software-Defined Radio Subsystems

TL;DR

This paper presents a method for wireless ranging and synchronization in CubeSat systems using off-the-shelf software-defined radios, achieving centimeter-level accuracy without hardware modifications.

Contribution

It introduces a software-based approach for satellite ranging and synchronization that leverages existing SDR payloads, eliminating the need for hardware changes.

Findings

Achieved ~1 cm standard deviation in ranging measurements

Demonstrated feasibility for distributed satellite missions

Utilized only programmable logic and software configurations

Abstract

An approach towards wireless ranging and synchronization using commercial of-the-shelf software-defined radio payloads for small satellites, esp. CubeSats is studied. The approach only relies on the programmable logic configuration and processing system software. No hardware modifications or additions to the payloads are necessary. Experimental evaluation of the initial implementation shows a standard deviation of time-of-flight-based ranging measurements in the order of 1 cm, which renders the concept of interest for distributed satellite system missions.