Enabling Hybrid Optical-Microwave Space Communications with Optically Transparent RF Components Using Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)

<p>Over the last decade, spacecraft have increasingly integrated both microwave and optical communication systems, driving the need for electrically conductive and optically transparent materials. This study presents a comprehensive examination of advanced electromagnetic characterization techniques and the design, fabrication, and performance of optically transparent antennas using Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) films on alkaline earth boro-aluminosilicate glass for transparent radio-frequency (RF) applications in space communication systems. Addressing the limitations of traditional metal-based antennas—particularly their shadowing effect on satellite solar cells—this study investigates ITO as a pivotal material for creating antennas that are both efficient in communication and non-intrusive to solar efficiency. Utilizing 4-point probes and coplanar waveguide (CPW) ground signal ground (GSG) probes, we investigated the electrical properties of ITO, including conductivity, permittivity, and loss tangent, and ensured the material's suitability for space conditions and electrical conductivity. The ITO films achieved an average permittivity of 7.16 in the range of 5-10 GHz, a DC conductivity of 6.86 MS/m, and a CPW loss tangent of 0.0054 at 10 GHz. The Ansys High-Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) was employed for the design and optimization of these antennas, focusing on their performance in wideband frequency applications and compatibility with satellite solar cell standards. The simulated -10 dB impedance bandwidth was found to be 154\%, and the measured -10 dB impedance bandwidth was 156\%, covering a wide range from 1.4 GHz to 10.9 GHz. Additionally, the simulated peak antenna gain was observed to be 3.2 dBi at 6 GHz, indicating the antenna's effective performance over a broad frequency range. The fabrication process, utilizing the nScrypt system and a femtosecond laser, demonstrated high precision in constructing the antenna structure according to the optimized design. Our results show significant improvements in impedance bandwidth and gain, confirming the antenna's ability to operate efficiently over a wide frequency range while enhancing solar efficiency. These results underscore the suitability of ITO for hybrid optical and microwave hardware, offering critical insights into the design of next-generation electronic and photonic devices. The successful integration of this optically clear, single-layer antenna design with solar panel systems paves the way for more efficient and space-saving communication solutions in satellite technology, demonstrating the pivotal role of precise material characterization in advancing space communication technologies.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical, Computer, Software, and Systems Engineering

Year

2024

Author dc:creator

• O'Keefe, John T.

• optically transparent
• CPW material characterization
• optoelectronic properties
• wideband
• CPW-Fed microstrip antenna
• single layer antenna
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Electromagnetics and Photonics

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/edt/870

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1905