NPS-SCAT: A CubeSat Communications System Design, Test, and Integration

Telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) systems on traditional small satellites have advanced significantly in capacity, throughput, and complexity over the last several decades. The CubeSat community is in need of similar advancements. The Naval Postgraduate School Solar Cell Array Tester (NPS-SCAT) seeks to provide the foundation for advances in future iterations of CubeSats at NPS. This thesis explains the design, test, and integration of a full TT&C sub-system for NPS-SCAT. The satellite will have two TT&C systems that provide full telemetry for the experiment through a primary communications channel and secondary telemetry through an amateur band beacon. The thesis explains the development of the concept of operations for the satellite that drove the data requirements provided by the TT&C system. The thesis also explains the testing procedures of the transceiver and the design, test, and integration of the primary and secondary antennas. Finally the thesis explains the frequency licensing process through the Navy-Marine Corps Spectrum Center and the Federal Communications Commission.