This dissertation research presents a comprehensive study to answer the question of “Can it be possible to integrate a high gain optically transparent antenna array directly on top of solar cells?”. The answer to such question is extremely important in space exploration where very small satellites have been extensively employed. Due to their small mass and size, those small satellites create challenges for one to mount the antennas, and the challenge is further increased when a high gain antenna is need for more communication capacity. Based on feasibility studies, the dissertation concludes that it is possible to do such an integration, and then proceeds to present the approaches for design and integration. On the element level, the thesis presents research in assessing the effects between a planar antenna integrated on the solar cell and the photovoltaic cell. A series of experiments were designed to perform assessments for antennas operating from C to X bands. It is concluded that a commercial triple junction space–certified solar cell normally would decrease the gain of the antenna to 2–3 dB and is not affected by the working states of solar cells. The shadow of the antenna casts on solar cells, however, is not significant (less than 2%). The thesis also provides a model of a common space solar cell that helps to explain the gain loss. The model was validated by experimental data, and it was utilized to predict iv a possible custom design of solar cell where with a minimal design modification, it would facilitate less gain loss of the antenna integrated on top. On the array level, the research surveys different high gain antenna array design and then focus on an optimal sub–wavelength reflectarray design. The final antenna array design is a 30 cm by 20 cm, X band (8.475 GHz) reflectarray that shows 94% transparency, 24 dB gain, and higher than 40% aperture efficiency. The design is then prototyped and tested on actual solar panel. The measurement of the reflectarray placed on the solar panel showed a gain of 22.46 dB and an aperture efficiency of 29.3%. While those results are considered excellent, the thesis continues to address the reasons for reduction of the antenna’s performance due to the solar panel, through both theoretical analysis and experiments.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UTAHS/oai:digitalcommons.usu.edu:etd-6069 |
| Date | 01 May 2016 |
| Creators | Yekan, Taha Shahvirdi Dizaj |
| Publisher | DigitalCommons@USU |
| Source Sets | Utah State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | All Graduate Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | Copyright for this work is held by the author. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For more information contact Andrew Wesolek (andrew.wesolek@usu.edu). |
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