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Projecte llegit

Títol: Multi-Band Radio Environment Characterization, Optimal Frequency Selection, and Ground Station Development for Small Satellite Communications

Estudiants que han llegit aquest projecte:

Director/a: BERENGUER I SAU, JORDI

Departament: TSC

Títol: Multi-Band Radio Environment Characterization, Optimal Frequency Selection, and Ground Station Development for Small Satellite Communications

Data inici oferta: 22-12-2025     Data finalització oferta: 22-07-2026


Estudis d'assignació del projecte:
    GR ENG SIS TELECOMUN
Tipus: Individual
 
Lloc de realització: Fora UPC    
 
        Supervisor/a extern: Josep Pino Guimera
        Institució/Empresa: Aistech Space S.L.
        Titulació del Director/a: Master
 
Paraules clau:
Software-Defined Radio, Spectrum Monitoring, Satellite Communications, Ground Station, Interference Characterization, Frequency Selection
 
Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
This Bachelor's Thesis focuses on the design, installation, and commissioning of a ground station for receiving and transmitting data with Aistech satellites, using both UHF bands (amateur and operational) and the S-band. The project is carried out within Aistech's Ground Infrastructure Team and involves the end-to-end implementation of a satellite communication system, covering both technical and regulatory aspects.

The tasks include selecting and acquiring equipment compatible with the Hydra-2 and Aistechsat-2 platforms, preparing the required hardware (including SDRs and RF devices), and managing the licensing process for antenna installation. A key part of the project is the analysis of radio frequency interference in the operational bands, performed using an SDR receiver and dedicated tools to characterize the spectral environment on the rooftop of Aistech's headquarters.

This project allows for the practical application of the knowledge acquired during the Telecommunications Systems Engineering degree, with a particular focus on satellite communication systems, ground infrastructure, and electromagnetic compatibility, contributing to the deployment of an operational and scalable ground segment tailored to the company's needs.
 
Overview (resum en anglès):
This project addresses the deployment of ground station infrastructure for small satellite communications through comprehensive multi-band radio frequency environment characterization and complete system development. A nine-month experimental campaign characterized the radio environment at the proposed ground station location across UHF, S-band, and X-band using low-cost software-defined radio hardware (HackRF One).
The methodology combined omnidirectional spectrum monitoring with comprehensive directional measurements to determine three-dimensional spatial distribution of interference sources. Extended one-week monitoring campaigns captured both persistent and transient interference patterns, enabling identification of optimal operating conditions and operational mitigation strategies.
Based on comprehensive interference analysis, specific operating frequencies were selected for satellite transponders and ground station operations, confirming deployment viability. The project culminated in complete infrastructure preparation including transceptor redesign employing the bladeRF xA4 SDR platform integrated with Endurosat's management system and comprehensive material procurement.
This work demonstrates that systematic radio environment characterization and ground station deployment are achievable using low-cost SDR hardware, providing replicable methodologies for small satellite operators facing similar spectrum coordination challenges.

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