Communication Networks in CubeSat Constellations: Analysis, Design and Implementation

CubeSat constellations are redefining the way we approach to space missions, from the particular impact on scientific mission possibilities, constellations potential is growing with the increasing accessibility in terms of low development and launch costs and higher performances of the available technologies for CubeSats. In this thesis we focus on communication networks in CubeSat constellations: the project consist of developing a clustering algorithm able to group small satellites in order to create an optimized communication network by considering problems related to mutual access time and communication capabilities we reduce the typical negative effects of clustering algorithms such as ripple effect of re-clustering and optimizing the cluster-head formation number. The network creation is exploited by our proposed hardware system, composed by a phased array with up to 10dB gain, managed by a beamforming algorithm, to increase the total data volume transferable from a CubeSat constellation to the ground station. The total data volume earned vary from 40% to a peak of 99% more, depending on the constellation topology analyzed.