Investigate Signal Distortion and Attenuation

[LShapir0]

In order to support high fidelity in-flight telemetry and live video, our radio systems have to be reliable and precise. Antenna design is a significant (sometimes the most important) factor in the quality of a signal. Our antenna systems have to consider the following items:

A) The rocket will be traveling at super sonic speeds in the y-axis B) The rocket will be rotating about the y-axis at a significant rate C) The rocket will hit apogee at 30,000 ft

Factors such as path loss, polarization loss and the Doppler effect will need to be investigated. A circularly polarized antenna will in theory reduce polarization loss.

Tasks:

• [x] Model and qualify Doppler effect (#122)
• [ ] Design and verify a circularly polarized antenna (with prototyping)
• [x] Design breakout PCBs for patch antennas for VSWR, SWR, and efficiency parameters
• [x] Work around the physical constraints of the competition rocket (carbon fiber tube, limited space, limited power)

[LShapir0]

Doppler affect is also being investigated in issue #122 .