Beamforming with spacecraft under reduced localization and clock constraints

Journal article (2016)

Authors

P.P. Sundaramoorthy Space Systems Egineering
E.K.A. Gill Space Engineering
C.J.M. Verhoeven Electronics - EEMCS
Research Group
Space Systems Egineering
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Published Date

2016

Language

English

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Research Group

Space Systems Egineering

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel phase synchronization technique that enables beamforming with multiple resource-limited spacecraft in space and capitalizes on their spatial geometry. The proposed technique employs an external beacon to obviate the need for explicit time synchronization and reduces the accuracy requirements on localization. Results show that subcentimeter (subnanosecond)-level phase synchronization can be achieved with localization accuracy in the order of meters.