Preliminary Design of the Communications Subsystem for the Chasqui II Cubesat Mission

This paper presents the design, methodology, and simulations of the communication subsystem for the Chasqui II CubeSat mission, intended to operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The study begins with the communication architecture, including signal processing and component interconnection, followed by the design of a tape dipole antenna using CST Studio. A detailed link budget analysis was performed to assess signal power for uplink and downlink in the UHF band (437 MHz) with Half Duplex communication, FSK modulation, and AX.25 data packets. Operational modes were established based on the mission’s characteristics, ensuring the reliability of command reception and telemetry transmission. The results offer a comprehensive design that meets mission requirements, optimizing the communication subsystem’s performance throughout the CubeSat’s operational life.