This proposed work is planning to design and build (25.5-27.5 GHz band (Tx/Rx) and 22.55-23.55 GHz band (Tx/Rx)) shared platform phased array antennas utilizing 5G Silicon RFIC beamformers such as those produced by Anokiwave (AWMF-0164).

By leveraging commercial 5G technologies, the proposed work will establish communication between the SmallSat relay to lunar rovers, SmallSat to Gateway and SmallSat to Earth terminals. The overall impact of the proposed work and the extent to which evidence is provided that the project would meaningfully improve performance relative to the current state-of-the-art in small spacecraft technology or capabilities. By leveraging commercial 5G technologies, they will exploit the high volume production and commercial timescales to produce low cost, high performance systems. Another benefit of this proposed array is the reduced number of RFICs because one RFIC can feed four Tx/Rx radiating elements, including all requisite beam steering controls for phase and gain control.