ISISPACE VHF/UHF Antenna for 1U-3U

The ISISPACE VHF/UHF Antenna for 1U-3U (Antenna Subsystem 1, ANTS1) is a deployable antenna subsystem designed for VHF/UHF communications on 1U to 3U CubeSat missions.^[1] The design traces to the Delfi-C3 satellite and has been flight proven since July 2010, with over 500 units delivered and launched as of the product page.^[1]

The subsystem deploys up to four 55 cm tape-spring antennas and supports monopole, dipole, turnstile, and hybrid configurations, with a redundant deployment mechanism completing in under 5 seconds.^[1] The board layout includes a large central cutout and miniature RF connectors, allowing the top face to accommodate solar panels, patch antennas, and sensors alongside the antenna.^[1]

The unit operates across 145-868 MHz and handles up to 2 W RF power, with a UHF bandwidth exceeding 50 MHz and a VHF bandwidth exceeding 10 MHz, both measured at -10 dB return loss.^[1] Boresight gain is 0 dBi on both bands.^[1] The electrical interface uses a miniature 9-pin OMNETICS connector with I2C data communications, and the unit is available in 3.3 V and 5 V variants, drawing less than 40 mW and 60 mW respectively at nominal power, with 2 W at deployment.^[1]

The stowed envelope is 98 x 98 x 7 mm including the supplied aluminium cover plate, with a mass below 90 g.^[1] Operating temperature range is -20 to +60 deg C, with a deployment temperature range of -5 to +60 deg C.^[1]