1. MSC Overview

Overview | Production | Export | ESD | FBD | RBID | SN | Licensing

1.1. Overview

The MiniSatCom family is a series of UHF Transceivers used for two-way data communications in unique applications. MiniSatCom UHF 420-450 and MiniSatCom UHF 902-928 are designed to support the unmanned commercial and research spacecraft industry. 

MiniSatCom UHF 420-450 and MiniSatCom UHF 902-928 Statistics
Size:  44 x 30 x 5 mm
Mass:  10 grams
Highest RF power:  30dBm
RF sensitivity: -110dBm (using default configuration)

1.2. Production

MiniSatCom is made in Madison, Alabama, United States. RadioBro works closely with a space-grade electronics assembly company in Madison to ensure the products are designed to sustain space launch and space flight environments, and is built to the highest standards of soldering.

MiniSatCom is assembled on a surface mount device (SMD) production line to IPC-J-STD-001ES Space Addendum Soldering Standard.

MiniSatCom Developers Boards are assembled in a through-hole production line to IPC-J-STD-001E.

Rigorous testing and inspection are completed in the production environment to ensure the customer gets the most reliable product possible, even in large production.

By working with an electronics assembly company, RadioBro can ensure a timely delivery of any size order.

1.3. Export Information

All spacecraft parts from the United States are controlled in distribution. People and organizations of the United States have no extra steps to purchase these products. For international customers, RadioBro is working closely with export experts to provide a smooth purchase path. Contact RadioBro or an authorized vendor for more information. This should not effect delivery availability for customers.

MiniSatCom UHF 420-450 MHz has ECCN 9A515.x
MiniSatCom UHF 902-928 MHz has ECCN 9A515.x

1.4. Electrostatic Protection

The MiniSatCom UHF Transceiver is an electrostatic sensitive device. At all times, observe precautions for handling electrostatic sensitive devices. MiniSatCom and the MiniSatCom Developers Board are shipped in Electrostatic Device bags that seal the products from contaminants and provide necessary protection against electrostatic discharge. The yellow label is attached to all device storage bags that should be considered sensitive.

More information about these protections are available by the Electrostatic Discharge Association. Click here.

1.5. Functional Block Diagram

*RF properties represent design goals, not tested effectiveness. Empirical information will be published in future versions of this document.

1.6. RBID RadioBro Identifier

Each RadioBro Product has a unique identifier called the RBID. This is used to maintain a full product history, starting with initial assembly and continuing through the product’s lifecycle. The RB ID is presented in the power-on of the device over the data bus; it can be called through software at any time, and is labeled on the circuit board of each device. The letter “O” and “o” are not used, only the number “0”.

1.7. Microcontroller Serial Number

The microcontroller inside MiniSatCom also has a unique identifier that is presented in power up. It can be called through software.

1.8. License Requirements

MiniSatCom requires the user to have a license to operate the radio in any part of the world and for any reason. Most users will utilize an experimental or amateur radio license to perform ground tests and spaceflight operations.