The
CanX nanosatellites developed by students at the Space Flight
Lab at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies
utilize frequencies in the UHF band of the amateur satellite
service.
In
compliance with the established IARU, AMSAT, and Industry
Canada rules and regulations, UTIAS/SFL obtained the necessary
agreement for the use of uplink and downlink frequencies in
the 70 cm amateur satellite band. The uplink frequency is
only used for command purposes and the downlink is on 437.880
+/- 0.015 MHz for receiving data.
The
downlink format in use for all CanX satellites in the amateur
satellite band will be published. As CanX-1 never successfully
transmitted, its protocol never came into use. When the CanX-2
protocol
is finalized, it will be published.
The
radios used for CanX-1 and that desgined for CanX-2 are being
developed by people possessing a Canadian Amateur Radio License
with Advanced Qualification, in accordance with Industry Canada
regulations. Furthermore, all communication with CanX satellites
will be made by students who are licensed amateurs. A secondary
benefit of this program has been the introduction and licensing
of over 10 students to amateur radio in 2003 alone.
The
CanX nanosatellite missions are in agreement with the IARU
Regulations for Use of Amateur Frequencies, as outlined in
http://www.iaru.org/satellite/prospective.html
, which states that "The
purpose of an amateur satellite should be to conduct technical
investigation in all respects consistent with the Radio Regulations",
and further that "Technical investigations carried out
using frequencies
allocated to the amateur-satellite service should be relevant
to the development of "radio technique," that is,
have a reasonable possibility of application to the development
of radio communication systems.
Examples
of such technical investigations include: propagation studies,
operational analysis of protocols used for digital voice and
data communication, development of attitude determination
methods, development of command and control procedures, studies
of radiation effects on various electronic components, studies
of meteor trail reflection, and measurement of the orbital
environment useful in designing future amateur satellites."
Furthermore,
these investigations are being conducted by students who are
not receiving any pecuniary gain from this research.
The
CanX nanosatellite missions directly and indirectly investigate:
- The effect of the earth’s atmosphere in radio frequency
propagation
- The value of advanced satellite communication protocols
- The effects of radiation environment on various electronics
components
- The effects of orbital environment on low-cost spacecraft
- New attitude determination and control methods
- New command and control procedures and architecture
UTIAS/SFL
therefore believes that the use of the Amateur Radio Frequency
in the UHF band for the CanX nanosatellites is compliant with
the IARU Regulations for Use of Amateur Frequencies.
Industry Canada, the Canadian Regulatory body, agrees with
this assessement.
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CanX Program