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200242 https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.200242 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2025-05 2027-04-14T05:00:00 33 pages Renaud, Nicolas Jacobs, Daniel Aberle, James Goryll, Michael Barrett, The Honors College Electrical Engineering Program School of Earth and Space Exploration School of Sustainability Department of Physics The Freefall All-Sky Antenna System* is a cost-effective and innovative ground station solution designed to support university-led small satellite missions. By utilizing a hemispherical reflector with a mechanically steered feed, the system eliminates the need for large, high-powered motors typically required by traditional parabolic dishes. This design significantly reduces power consumption and operational complexity while maintaining high gain and reliable link performance. The system is optimized for S-band operation, with the capability to transmit between 2.025 GHz and 2.12 GHz and receive between 2.2 GHz and 2.3 GHz. The system's modular architecture incorporates off-the-shelf components, including a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and a Raspberry Pi for signal processing, achieving a receive gain of 38 dB and a transmit gain of 44 dB. The complete receive chain has a noise figure of 0.93 dB, with an expected thermal noise of -119 dBm, and achieves an SNR of approximately 16 dB, enabling a theoretical maximum data rate of 11 Mbps for a 20 MHz bandwidth signal. Environmental analyses, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for wind loading and thermal management, confirm the system’s durability and efficiency in adverse conditions. The system's low-profile design minimizes wind loading and structural stress, while its reduced radome coverage enhances signal integrity. RF interference tests conducted on-site confirm minimal interference within the operational bands, ensuring compliance with FCC allocation guidelines. Antenna Ground Station Satellite Communication RF system Analysis of the Freefall All-Sky Antenna System