RadioBro Radio Series

RadioBro CorporationInnovation - Reliability - Convenience

MiniSatCom DetailsFor a quote or general questions, contact Mark

[email protected]+1 256 715 5048

For the most up to date information, visit radiobro.com. File creation date: April 17, 2014 1:39 AM - Page number 1

office /international

1.0 Introduction of MiniSatComThe MiniSatCom UHF Transceiver is a small radio used for two-way data com-munications in unique applications. MiniSatCom is designed to support the unmanned spacecraft industry, various autonomous systems, and terrestrial ap-plications.

To ensure compliance of assembly quality, MiniSatCom is assembled to IPC J-STD-001ES space grade soldering standards.

Promote a fast development with advanced development tools. Our full kit in-cludes two spaceflight-certified radios, two development radios, two develop-ment boards, a logic analyzer, and sample code to get you started. With our radio hardware, developers can be talking within hours of opening the package without soldering.

MiniSatCom is 44mm by 30mm by 5mm, allowing you to integrate into any project. Each radio is half-duplex, producing up to 1W of RF power. One unit fits comfortably in the PocketQube form factor. Two or more units fit comfortably in the CubeSat form factor. Achieve full dual band operations in your CubeSat by using two MiniSat-Com units, and also achieve a redundant communication link. MiniSatCom also works well as a backup transceiv-er for larger spacecraft.

The electronics case is metal. The finished electrical system is potted into the metal enclosure allowing for full support of the electronics in heavy load conditions.

1.1 MiniSatCom 420-450 Transceiver Module• Conforms to the MiniSatCom form factor, defining electrical, mechanical interfaces, and logic interface.• User programmable between 420 MHz and 450 MHz• This product is available through various retailers as the MiniSatCom 420-450 Developers Kit. Other packag-

ing options including bulk orders are available.

1.2 MiniSatCom 902-928 Transceiver Module• Conforms to the MiniSatCom form factor, defining electrical, mechanical interfaces, and user interface.• User programmable between 902 MHz and 928 MHz• This product is available through various retailers as the MiniSatCom 902-928 Developers Kit. Other packag-

ing options including bulk orders are available.

The MiniSatCom can be custom ordered to use any of the following frequency ranges: 300 - 348 MHz, 387 - 464 MHz, and 779 - 928 MHz. Lead time is approximately 6 weeks.

**Final integration specifications to be released soon.**

Full Scale: 44 x 30 x 5 mm

1 Watt Half-Duplex SDR420 - 450 MHz Module902 - 928 MHz Module

*other frequencies available






1.3 DefinitionsMiniSatCom - A series of UHF transceivers sharing a common electrical, mechanical, and logic interfaceUHF - Ultra High Frequency, defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers as radio waves be-tween 300 MHz and 1 GHzSpaceflight-Certified MiniSatCom - Defined by RadioBro, individually tested with vibration testing, circuits inspected individually by X-Ray, RF power system individually analyzedJ-STD-001ES - Defined by Joint Industry Standard, Space Applications Electronic Hardware Addendum to IPC J-STD-001E Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies.

2.0 Highlighted Features of MiniSatCom• Direct control of the RF amplifier power enable, a critical feature regarding radio licensing compliance.• RF power can be software defined from +30dbm (1Watt) to -30dbm (.001mW), allowing the user to take con-

trol of the power requirements.• The radio is powered by most satellites without customization, accepting anywhere from 3.0-5.5V. There is

internal power conditioning.• Data input and output interactions can be set to a variety of voltages, 1.8-5.5V. There is a built-in voltage lev-

el-shifter.• Satellite developers can use any of the following data protocols to interact with the radio:

SPI, TWI, USART, Serial TTL with handshaking.• RF path uses an MMCX connector, a reliable miniature coax connector. A bypass load protects the radio if

transmissions are sent without an external antenna engaged. The MMCX can be connected using a cable con-nection or board mount. This allows for custom antenna to be utilized.

• The outer shell of the radio is a rugged metal case ensuring durability and protection from contaminants in your lab and operating environment.

2.1 Spaceflight-Certification:1. Full Performance Check2. Vibration test each unit, simulating the launch environment. GSFC-STD-7000A3. X Ray each radio board to ensure structural integrity and solder joint quality4. Bake out each radio to clean off any remaining debris, 10^-4 Torr for 3 hours TEMPERATURE?5. Full Performance Check

2.2 CubeSat Integration and PocketQube Integration

The MiniSatCom transceivers are designed to support the CubeSat market. Two modules can be integrated to provide redundant functionality of communications in a CubeSat. The size of the radio is so small that a CubeSat developer can easily integrate two units in a single slab.

The MiniSatCom radios are small enough to fit in a PocketQube, leaving plenty of room for your satellite systems and experiment. The profile dimensions are 30mm by 44mm, with a thickness of 5mm.







2.3 Manufacturing Information

The MiniSatCom transceiver is built to J-STD-001ES. This is the highest soldering standard recognized by indus-try, specifically oriented for long-duration spacecraft. Click here for more information on J-STD-001ES.

2.3.1 Manufacturing Highlights:• Circuit boards made in the USA• All parts assembled in the USA• The assemblies are cleaned and sealed to prevent water and contaminates from penetrating the parts and cir-

cuit board layers.• Accelerated life testing is available on a sample of each production batch to ensure durability and longevity on

Earth and in orbit, per request.

2.4 Communication Protocol• AX.25 packet protocol (G3RUH compatible)• Physical layer of OSI model• Checksum verification• LFSR bit scrambling• NRZI• AES Data Encryption/Decryption

2.5 RF Properties• Modulation options: 2-FSK, 4-FSK, GFSK, MSK• 600 to 600000 bits/second (depending on modulation)

2.5.1 Transmission• Transmit high power mode: 30dBm (1000mW)• Transmit low power mode: 10dBm (10mW)• Transmit direct mode: -30dBm (0.001mW) 2.5.2 Receiver• High sensitivity mode (low noise amplifier): -120dB• Low sensitivity mode: -100dBm


http://www.ipc.org/ContentPage.aspx?pageid=IPC-Free-Documents






6.0 Package Options420-450

Developers Kit420-450

Essentials Kit420-450 Training Kit

902-928 Developers Kit

902-928 Essentials Kit

902-928 Training Kit

Spaceflight-Certified MiniSatCom Transceiver

2* 420-450 MHz

Module

1* 420-450 MHz

Module

2* 902-928 MHz

Module

1* 902-928 MHz

Module

Development MiniSatCom Transceiver

2* 420-450 MHz

Module

1* 420-450 MHz

Module

1* 420-450 MHz

Module

2* 902-928 MHz

Module

1* 902-928 MHz

Module

1* 902-928 MHz

Module

MiniSatCom Development Board 2 1 1 2 1 1

Logic Analyzer 1 1Sample Code Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

6.1 Custom OrdersRadioBro welcomes custom orders working through your retailer. Custom orders can achieve customer-speci-fied testing requirements, customer-specified frequency range, customer-specified software or interfacing, bulk discounts, and special integration or engineering support.

3.0 MiniSatCom Development Board

The MiniSatCom Breakout Interface allows you to plug in a MiniSatCom transceiver and utilize every pin of the radio. As a developer, you get full con-trol over the pins and can play with it. Along with a built in antenna, you can get some work done quickly.

• Optional USB Interface• Optional direct access to every pin• Direct ports to logic analyzer• Direct ports to oscilloscope test points

4.0 Future Development• Breakout Board• Deployable antenna module for CubeSat and PocketQube• Outdoor protective enclosure for ground station operations

5.0 Limitations• Not intended for any operation involving human life• Not radiation tolerant at this time• Product features are subject to change without notice

Off On

USB

User Input

Input from 18pin Header

Input from power source (USB or User PWR)

RadioBroMiniSatCom UHF Radio Module

GNDVin 3-5.5 V

VCC IO 1.8-5.5VUpdate Notice/DSR

SPI MISOSPI SS

USART RXUSART DTR

TWI SClOutput 1

DescriptionDirectionPin #

2468101214161820

IIIOOIOIIO

IIIIIIOI

IOO

GNDVin 3-5.5 VRF Amplifier enableSPI MOSISPI SCKUSART TXUSART CTSUSART XCKTWI SDAOutput 2

Footprint: 44 x 30mmElectrical plug: 10 x 2 header, 0.050in pitch

Development and Testing Board for

13579

1113151719

Antenna Cradle

UP: Output serial to FTDI

DOWN: Output serial to rockers