Project details
Title:
Powering Satellites by a Combination of Solar and Microwave Energy Harvesting
Acronym:
POWERSAT
Type:
European
Start Date:
October 1, 2024
End Date:
September 30, 2027
Principal Investigator:
Luca Pierantoni, Referent UnivPM
Other Units Involved:
THALES SA- France, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK – NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETAREDEZVOLTARE PENTRU MICROTEHNOLOGIE- ROMANIA, UPPSALA UNIVERSITET-SWEDEN, IDRYMA TECHNOLOGIAS KAI EREVNAS-GREECE, FADEC AB-SWEDEN, BLUE SYNERGY SL-SPAIN
Keywords:
in-orbit energy harvesting; rectennas; spillover losses; MIM diodes; backscattering communications
Description:
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.
Objectives:
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.
Application Contexts:
aerospace engineering, satellite technology, sensors; laser physics, photovoltaic systems.
Expected Results:
The development of an energy harvesting platform integrating micro/nanoantennas, MIM diode-based rectifiers and rectenna arrays suitable for the K, Ku, X and C satellite communication bands. These same antenna arrays will be instrumental in enabling low-power backscattering communications.
Achieved Results:
The project is still running
Project Logo: