| Project Detail |
Solar and microwave energy for efficient inter-satellite communication
The solar infrared (IR) spectrum has crucial applications in electronic systems, such as reducing the weight and launch costs of satellite solar cells. However, its potential remains underutilised. The EU-funded POWERSAT project aims to develop a platform that captures energy from the IR spectrum and converts microwave spillover from satellite antennas into a DC power supply. This energy will power low-power embedded electronics within satellites and enable efficient inter-satellite communication links. The project will produce five demonstrators: one for solar energy harvesting and four for capturing microwave energy. The goal is to integrate these technologies into satellite electronic systems, replacing traditional solar cells and thereby reducing satellite weight and launch costs.
POWERSAT focuses on scavenging the unexploited solar infrared (IR) spectrum by providing an original THz (10-400 THz) energy harvesting platform, thus completing the function of photovoltaics cells, and on harvesting the microwave spillover losses from satellite’s antennas and transform them into a DC power supply.
POWERSAT will deliver an original solar-microwave combined platform based on rectennas to harvest a big part of the IR radiation coming from the sun and the spillover electric field radiated by satellite’s antennas in four main bands, i.e. C-band (4-8 GHz), X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz), Ku-band (12-18 GHz), and K-band (18-27 GHz).
This harvested energy will be employed to fuel the low-power embedded electronics within satellites, including components like low-noise amplifiers, various sensors, and oscillators. Moreover, antennas designed for energy harvesting can also facilitate efficient and low-power inter-satellite links (ISLs). Satellites are often arranged in constellations, flying in formation as they orbit Earth. In such configurations, satellites can establish communication links with neighboring satellites using RF or laser links. These ISLs enable satellites to connect with others, allowing data to traverse different gateways within the satellite network. To achieve this, POWERSAT will propose five demonstrators, i.e. a solar energy harvesting platform integrating micro/nanoantennas and MIM diode-based rectifiers, and four demonstrators integrating several rectennas, each demonstrator being suitable for one of the four microwave bands mentioned before. These same antenna arrays will be instrumental in enabling low-power backscattering communications. The final goal is to provide a seamless integration of the newly developed rectennas into satellite’s electronic systems, which in perspective will allow the future partial replacement of satellite’s solar cells, thus lowering satellite’s overall weight and, hence, the launch costs. |
