Multiple Folding Array Antenna Packed in a CubeSat and its Radiation Characteristics

A multiple folding array antenna is composed of plural flat panels, and deployed leaving steps between panels. The steps are compensated by adjusting the element excitation phase. Accordingly, it has a large deployed / folded area ratio, and enables two-dimensional deployment. In this paper, the configuration of a multiple folding array antenna that can be packed in a CubeSat of 3U is investigated. The antenna deployment operation is presented. The radiation patterns are discussed including beam shift capability.