ABSTRACT. This paper proposes and validates a low-pass frequency selective surface (FSS) composed of three cascaded layers of rectangular patch elements printed on low-cost FR4 substrates. The multilayer configuration provides a simple and easily manufactured design that achieves a sharp transition between passband and stopband. Full-wave simulations were conducted using ANSYS HFSS, and the prototype was experimentally characterized with a vector network analyzer. The measured cutoff frequencies were approximately 4.98 GHz for vertical polarization and 3.72 GHz for horizontal polarization, showing good agreement with simulation results. The structure maintained angular stability up to 30° for vertical and 15° for horizontal polarization. The proposed FSS demonstrates that multilayer low-cost structures can deliver broadband low-pass performance, making them suitable for electromagnetic interference suppression, shielding, and filtering applications.

ABSTRACT. This paper proposes a frequency-selective surface-based structural health monitoring system for measuring relative humidity levels in hollow concrete blocks. The proposed system utilizes designed and built electronic circuits capable of correlating concrete block moisture content to the dB power level of a 2.4 GHz RF measurement signal transmitted through the concrete block and FSS assembly. The methodology, calibration data, and proposed system setup are presented. The results indicate that the system can measure relative humidity levels between 40% and 100%, demonstrating its viability.

ABSTRACT. This study presents the design and analysis of a novel Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) structure featuring a symmetric cross shaped with four clover shaped termini at the ends of the cross arms enclosed within a square and a ring structure. The FSS unit cell dimensions are taken as 3.3mm x 3.3mm x 0.5mm and later 5x5 array of dimensions 16mm x 16mm x 0.5mm was designed to analyze the performance of FSS coverage. The designed FSS structure exhibits dual stop band at 21GHz and 34GHz and a single pass band at 28GHz. This configuration is particularly beneficial for filtering unwanted out of band signals while allowing high transmission at the desired 28GHz frequency and also reducing interferences. The proposed FSS was also verified by the Equivalent Circuit (ECM). The proposed FSS exhibits angular stability up to 80 degree, maintaining its filtering characteristics with minimal frequency shift under oblique incidence.

ABSTRACT. This work investigates XGBoost-based inverse-design models for circular and square CSRRs. Single-topology models achieved the best performance, with MAEHFSS of 0.0457 and 0.0443 GHz for the circular and square cases, respectively, and low standard deviations across bandwidth variations. In contrast, multi-topology models showed large deviations, with MARHFSS reaching 0.3686 GHz and sensitivity S=1.44. The average S21 responses further confirmed that model C produced resonances closest to the 2.45 GHz target. These results demonstrate that topology-specific training provides more accurate and stable CSRR designs.

ABSTRACT. We consider the plane wave backward and total scattering characteristics of a layered cylindrical Luneburg lens equipped with a conformal strip of graphene, in the H-polarization case. The strip has an arbitrary location, and its surface impedance is characterized using the quantum-physics Kubo formalism. We develop a mathematically accurate algorithm that utilizes the method of analytical regularization (MAR), based on the explicit inversion of the static part of the problem. This guarantees the convergence of the resulting numerical algorithm. We calculate the backscattering cross-section and total scattering cross-section as a function of frequency and rotation angle.

ABSTRACT. The design, simulation, fabrication and characterization process of a radiofrequency (RF) applicator based on a grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) is presented. The applicator is aimed at bacterial electroporation in capillary tubes. The objective is to generate a localized electric field of approximately 48 kV/m while maintaining a 50 Ω impedance at an operating frequency of 100 MHz. Simulations and analytical calculations were performed to develop a functional prototype that was validated experimentally. The results show that the design behaves as expected, and therefore, this waveguide can be used in the electroporation process.

ABSTRACT. In this paper, the electromagnetic characterization of absorbing materials was performed using a coaxial transmission line technique. Polyaniline/Li-Cu substituted cobalt ferrite composites were evaluated as microwave absorbers through measurements conducted with a vector network analyzer. The study focused on determining key performance parameters, including absorbance, transmittance, reflection loss, and shielding effectiveness.

ABSTRACT. This paper present different biodegradable substrate proposals based on chitosan biopolymer. The chitosan thin films were prepared using a 2% acetic acid solution and 2% chitosan dry mass. Dielectric properties were enhanced by niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5), with concentrations proposals: 1%, 2.5%. 5.0% and 10%. The dielectric characterizations presented large reduction in loss tangent with the insertion of only 1% of Nb2O5, maintaining permittivity almost unaltered. Permittivity could also be increased as Nb2O5 percentage increased, keeping the losses at low values. Two configurations of radial stubs were proposed and simulated at HFSS using the dielectric characterizations as input. The results showed that only 1% of Nb2O5 led to a great performance in the stopband and passband in both configurations of the filter.

ABSTRACT. Wireless channel modeling is a fundamental stage in the design and operation of any communication system. While traditional empirical or deterministic models often impose a predefined structure on the data, Symbolic Regression (SR) offers a promising alternative by discovering intrinsic and interpretable mathematical expressions directly from field measurements. The application of artificial intelligence, particularly SR, to channel modeling holds significant potential for reducing complexity and enhancing the reliability of the process. This paper investigates the application of three distinct SR algorithms: PySR, DEAP, and gplearn for modeling a mobile radio channel in an urban environment at 750 MHz, providing a comparative assessment of their performance.

ABSTRACT. This paper revisits the use of the two-ray propagation model for short-range WiFi links at 2.4 GHz over a freshwater lake. Experimental measurements are used to compare the simplified and complete forms of the model. The complete formulation, which incorporates the Fresnel reflection coefficient, complex relative permittivity, and polarization, achieves a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 1.44~dB and a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 1.07 dB after compensating for transmit power offsets. These errors are approximately 66 % lower than those of the adjusted simplified version (RMSE 4.28 dB, MAE 2.85 dB). The results confirm that the complete formulation provides a more accurate basis for modeling short-range overwater propagation and IoT-oriented link design, while also refining and improving prior analyses of the same experimental dataset.

ABSTRACT. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of building a functional, low-cost radio astronomy interferometer, validated by the detection of the neutral hydrogen emission line at 1420 MHz. The design, implementation, and validation of this two-antenna system are presented, employing software-defined radio (SDR) technologies, GPSDO-synchronized USRP modules, and commercial off-the-shelf components. Field tests, conducted through solar observations, confirmed the correct signal detection and high phase coherence between channels, validating the system as a reproducible and functional tool for teaching and research in experimental radio astronomy within academic environments.

ABSTRACT. In this contribution, the performance of a low-frequency radio telescope, based on phased aperture subarrays commonly called stations, is discussed at the interferometer-level. To this end, the instrumental Stokes leakage and the intrinsic cross polarization ratio are calculated. The performance of one radio interferometer baseline, consisting of two stations with the same antenna distribution but each rigidly rotated with a different orientation with respect to the cardinal directions, is investigated. These station rotations are intended to minimize the synthesized sidelobes of the stations when they are combined to form an interferometric beam. Full-wave simulations for a Square Kilometre Array (SKA) prototype station have been used for this study.

ABSTRACT. Wideband global 21-cm experiments require radiometers with smooth spectral response, stable antenna–ground coupling, and operation in low-RFI environments. CANTAR is a portable 100–200 MHz blade-dipole radiometer designed for sky-averaged Epoch of Reionization studies. The system integrates a wideband antenna, a passive three-port balun, and a low-noise receiver chain providing >45 dB gain and system noise temperatures below 65 K. Electromagnetic simulations and laboratory S-parameters show strong agreement in bandwidth and spectral smoothness. Field deployments in Antarctica (Union Glacier and O’Higgins Base) demonstrate excellent impedance matching (S11 < −24 dB) and ultra-clean spectral baselines. A contrasting deployment in the high-altitude Colombian Andes validates performance under strong thermal gradients and moderate RFI. These results establish CANTAR as a field-validated, spectrally stable platform suitable for absolute calibration and long-integration campaigns targeting detection of the global 21-cm signal from the Cosmic Dawn.

ABSTRACT. We simulated six diffraction models for a device-to-device (D2D) wireless link of 5 m with both transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) at a height of 1 m, operating at 140 GHz, evaluating the attenuation as a function of the blocker’s distance and body depth (0.2 m to 0.4 m). Models showed the least variation at the link’s center (2.5 m), ranging from 3 dB to 8 dB for a body depth of 0.2 m and 0.4 m, respectively. This is driven by their fundamentally different physical behaviors: DTMKE and 3GPP/mmMagic models exhibit an oscillatory attenuation due to the considered phase differences, in contrast to the linear response of the other models. Notably, the simplified 3GPP/mmMagic model maintained excellent agreement with the more complex DTMKE model for the current setup.

ABSTRACT. We discuss the chirality of the antenna used in the SKA-low radio telescope, called SKALA4.1. We find that it more readily accepts one circular handed radiation more than the other even along its boresight, i.e. zenith. This is in spite of the fact that vertical axis may appear at first sight to be a symmetry axis. But in fact, the mechanical structure of the SKALA4.1 antenna is not mirror symmetric, so it is a chiral antenna. This can explain its handedness preference. This can lead to a nonzero instrumental Stokes circular polarization component, also known as instrumental Stokes V. The bias in Stokes V can be difficult to calibrate and may make certain science cases more difficult. As a potential part of a mitigation strategy, we investigate the possibility of also using the specular (mirror-image) version of SKALA4.1, since the specular SKALA4.1 is found to have the exact opposite handedness of the nominal SKALA4.1. We find that mixing nominal and specular antennas does indeed decrease the beamformed bias in handedness.

ABSTRACT. This paper presents the results of path loss measurements of a 5G link operating at the 26 GHz millimeter wave frequency in outdoor environment in LoS and NLoS scenarios within the campus of the National University of Colombiain the city of Bogotá D.C. An experimental setup was used to measure path loss at millimeter wave frequencies, which integrates several hardware and software components to perform the measurements. The results of the experimental tests were compared with the 3GPP TR 38.901, METIS and NYU reference models and a fit using a lognormal distribution was performed to obtain a characterization of the path loss. These results are expected to be important to analyze the coverage behavior of a commercial 5G network in Colombia in the 26 GHz millimeter wave frequency band.

ABSTRACT. In the history of Antenna Engineering, there has been only one universal method to steer the beam of any fixed-beam antenna. That’s physically tilting the antenna, so it’s not electromagnetic; rather mechanical. This method has been implemented in many commercial antenna systems using motorised mechanical tilting and rotating systems. Now there is another way: Near-Field Meta-Steering, in which two flat phase-gradient metasurfaces (MS) are placed very close to the fixed-beam “base” antenna, in its near field, and are rotated independently. This way, the beam of the antenna can be steered over a large range of zenith angles and the complete azimuth range of 3600, without tilting or rotating the antenna. In fact, no part of the system is tilted. The science behind this method is totally electromagnetic, although current implementations involve mechanical rotations.

A Meta-Steering antenna system is only slightly taller than the base antenna itself. Lack of tilting means it is much shorter than conventional tilting antennas. In the future, one electronically reconfigurable near-field metasurface may provide 2D beam steering without any mechanical rotation.

Since this method was introduced in the seminal paper in 2017, together with the concept of Near-Field Phase Transformation, it has been applied by many industry and academic researchers across the globe (e.g. Thales in France, WaveUp in Italy, TICRA in Denmark, UCLA in USA) to develop novel antenna systems, and to steer the beam of nearly all types of fixed-beam antennas, e.g. Fabry-Perot/resonant cavity antennas, reflector (dish) antennas, metasurface antennas, slot arrays, holographic antennas, horn antennas and even some end-fire antennas, to name a few.

The method is also known in several names including Risley Method and Near-Field Phase Transformation. The surfaces are also known in different names, e.g. meta lenses, transmitarrays, deflectors.

Several different types of metasurfaces have been developed, e.g. standard printed-circuit-board type, all dielectric, all metal, hybrid and 3D-printed, and some research outcomes have led to national prizes and awards. This keynote speech will review the research conducted by the speaker’s team as well as others in this modern and growing area of research.

ABSTRACT. This paper numerically investigates the effect of a rectangular prism dielectric resonator filled with various liquid materials: distilled water, deionized water, seawater, and glycerin on a rectangular patch antenna using an FR-4 substrate at 2.45 GHz. The combination of dielectric resonator geometry and liquid materials properties strongly affects antenna performance. Distilled water and Glycerin produced the best results, while Sea water performed worst due to its high conductivity, and Deionized water showed intermediate behavior.

ABSTRACT. This work proposes the design of a cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) developed from ceramic waste from bricks and roof tiles. The chosen geometry was cylindrical, and the material was sintered at a temperature of 1050°C. The DRA was fed using an aperture-coupled feeding method. Simulations were performed to obtain the return loss, realized gain, total efficiency, and front-to-back ratio (FBR) of the DRAs with and without slot tilt. The proposed antenna is intended for applications 5G systems in the Sub-6 GHz band.

ABSTRACT. Microwave breast imaging is based on contrasts in dielectric properties between healthy and malignant tissues. The antenna substrate plays a key role in the sensitivity of these systems, motivating the selection of materials with appropriate dielectric behavior. This work presents the experimental dielectric characterization of twelve low-cost commercial silicone bra pads. Each sample was measured to obtain the relative permittivity and the loss tangent. The results show significant variation; the selected sample exhibited an optimal combination of high permittivity (\(\varepsilon_r\approx 2.78\)) and low loss tangent (\(\tan\delta\approx 0.029\)) at 2.4 GHz. This makes it suitable for compact, flexible antennas used in low-cost breast imaging systems.

ABSTRACT. Fruit spoilage is a major source of loss throughout the food supply chain. This paper presents the development and experimental validation of a non-invasive microwave detection system that employs a microstrip antenna operating at 3.3,GHz to identify internal changes associated with banana deterioration. The antenna was designed in ANSYS 2025 and calibrated using a vector network analyzer (VNA), yielding a resonance at 3.27,GHz. A Python-based transmitter–receiver setup enabled the measurement of amplitude and phase variations. The results show consistent differences between fresh and deteriorated bananas, linked to changes in dielectric properties, particularly decreases in ε′and ε′′. These findings confirm the potential of microwave techniques as non-destructive tools for food inspection and quality control.

ABSTRACT. This paper addresses the challenge of optimizing the radiation patterns of a virtual antenna array in a Flying Ad-hoc Network (FANET), a critical factor for communication performance. We present a Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach to optimize the angular positions of 8 array elements in a circular geometry. The methodology uses a fitness function to minimize the Side Lobe Level (SLL). Using real antenna data, our GA successfully demonstrates significant SLL suppression, achieving a minimum SLL of −7.82 dB. This approach provides crucial insights into optimal array geometries for robust FANET applications.

ABSTRACT. This paper presents an electrically compact antenna element which operates in Ku-band targeting satphones. The proposed antenna is a series-fed array design, each series fed array is connected to an equal power divider network for gain enhancement which enables simultaneous operation of both the series fed array antennas, supporting dual beams. The element is wrapped around the corner space of a typical satphone. The antenna operates at 14.3 GHz and has an overall gain of 8.8 dBi for both the beams.

ABSTRACT. This work presents a planar microwave sensor based on a SRR-IDC resonator for detecting nitrate and phosphate in water. The sensor operates at 2.0 GHz and measures changes in resonance frequency and phase. The Decision Tree and Random Forest models achieved accuracies above 90%. The results demonstrate that combining microwave sensors with machine learning provides an effective and lowcost method for identifying contaminants in water.

ABSTRACT. The Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method is a widely adopted numerical technique for solving Maxwell's equations in the time domain. Although FDTD has been extensively employed for electromagnetic wave propagation in non-dispersive materials, many materials exhibit frequency-dependent properties that must be properly incorporated into the FDTD formulation. This work investigates the FDTD method for simulating wave propagation in Transverse Magnetic (TM) mode within dispersive media using the Total Field/Scattered Field (TF/SF) technique and Gaussian pulse source. The study examines the Drude model applied to Indium-Antimonide (InSb) and demonstrates how temperature variations alter its response between insulating and metallic states. These findings demonstrate FDTD's capability to accurately capture temperature-dependent permittivity modifications, suggesting InSb as a temperature-sensitive material in the terahertz regime.

ABSTRACT. This paper presents the design and analysis of a single-layer, coplanar waveguide antenna developed for ultrawideband (UWB) applications. The proposed structure offers a compact, low-cost, and simple-to-manufacture solution. Simulations demonstrate that the antenna operates efficiently in the 1.98–19.86 GHz band, achieving a bandwidth of 17.88 GHz and a maximum gain of 6.3 dBi at a frequency of 9 GHz.

ABSTRACT. —This work presents the development of a low-noise amplifier (LNA) operating in the 2.4GHz ISM band, designed in 45nm CMOS technology with a focus on Internet of Things (IoT) applications and battery-powered systems requiring long operational autonomy. The adopted topology employs a common source stage with inductive degeneration associated with a cas code device, enabling noise figure reduction, improved stability, and input impedance matching to 50Ω. Simulations carried out in Cadence SpectreRF show a noise figure of 0.81dB, gain of 14.61dB, S11 = −21.03dB, and total power consumption of only 0.74mW. The overall results demonstrate that the proposed circuit achieves ultra-low-power operation while maintaining competitive RF performance, making it a suitable front-end solution for compact and energy-constrained IoT receivers.

ABSTRACT. Radiometric detection of Partial Discharges (PD) in the UHF band requires front-end electronics that effectively balance sensitivity with dynamic range. This work evaluates the linearity of Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) used in PD conditioning circuits by characterizing the 1-dB Compression Point (P1dB) and Noise Figure (NF) of different commercial topologies operating from 200 MHz up to 1.5 GHz. Results indicate input P1dB variations from -25 dBm to -3 dBm. The analysis demonstrates a critical trade-off: while high-gain amplifiers maximize sensitivity for detecting low-level inception pulses, medium-gain topologies offer a wider linear operating window, preventing saturation during high-intensity events and ensuring robust diagnosis of established discharges.

ABSTRACT. In this work, we propose a passive UHF RFID tag for on-body applications, integrated with a 2×2 AMC-inspired surface. Finite Element Method electromagnetic simulation results show that the presence of the AMC-inspired surface improves impedance matching, reducing |S11| from -16.23 dB to -34.29 dB. A significant gain enhancement is also observed, increasing from -11.70 dBi without the AMC-inspired surface to 1.55 dBi with the AMC-inspired surface. Furthermore, the average SAR on the human torso phantom decreases when the AMC-inspired surface is employed, complying with the ICNIRP limits. These results demonstrate the suitability of AMC-inspired surfaces for on-body RFID applications.

ABSTRACT. This paper presents a Microwave Coaxial Probe intended for use in low-cost dielectric characterization setups. Experimental probe characterization is performed by comparing the proposed probe with a benchtop SPEAG Dielectric Assessment Kit in a frequency range as high as 8.5 GHz. The results show a good agreement between them. The proposed probe achieves mean relative errors below 5\% for $\varepsilon'$ and below 8\% for $\varepsilon''$, demonstrating performance comparable to the reference system at a fraction of the cost, validating the proposed coaxial probe for dielectric measurement applications.

ABSTRACT. A compact resonant cavity antenna (RCA) operating at 100 GHz is proposed for 6G communication systems. A low-loss phase gradient metamaterial (PGM) layer composed of height-varying dielectric unit cells is positioned in the near-field region (λ₀/3) above a partially reflective surface (PRS). The near-field coupling introduces a controlled transmission-phase gradient that flattens the aperture phase distribution, enabling beam broadening from 17° to 26° while maintaining a 16.6 dB directivity. The PGM strategically deteriorates constructive interference in the main lobe, achieving wider beam coverage without loss of radiation efficiency. Owing to its planar, compact, and efficient structure, the proposed PGM-loaded RCA is a promising candidate for short-range, high-capacity 6G links and integrated terahertz transceivers.

ABSTRACT. Optically Transparent Antennas (OTAs) based on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) enable the integration of wireless functionality into everyday surfaces while preserving aesthetics. However, their performance is fundamentally limited by the high resistivity of transparent conductors. This work investigates two practical gain-enhancement strategies a transparent superstrate with a directing ring and partial substrate removal applied to a 14 GHz ITO microstrip patch antenna. Simulation results show that, through careful geometrical optimization, a realized gain above 2 dBi can be achieved while maintaining optical transparency.

ABSTRACT. This paper investigates the feasibility of using compact antennas for the non-invasive detection of dysnatremia. The study proposes a sensing system where antennas operating from 5 GHz to 5.1 GHz are placed on the human neck adjacent to the jugular vein. Through simulation, the performance of the antenna is evaluated in scenarios representing hyponatremia (low sodium) and hypernatremia (high sodium). The analysis of S-parameters, radiation pattern, and Specific Absorption Rate values demonstrates the potential of this microwave sensing approach for diagnosing blood sodium imbalances.

ABSTRACT. This paper presents a method for landmine detection using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) A-scan signals. The proposed approach combines the Matrix Pencil Method (MPM) for feature extraction with a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier for accurate landmine discrimination. MPM is employed to extract relevant features from A-scan signals that characterize the subsurface response of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), while classification tasks use SVM algorithm. The effectiveness of the method is evaluated on a real GPR dataset collected during a measurement campaign, which includes a diverse set of buried objects, such as substitute IEDs.

ABSTRACT. This work presents a wideband dielectric slab antenna based on a microstrip-Franklin coupler for millimeter-wave (mm-wave) applications. The structure enables efficient energy transfer between a coaxial feed and free space through a dielectric slab, whose length defines the antenna directivity. Using an RT/Duroid 5880 substrate, the antenna achieves a -10 dB fractional bandwidth of 16.62% (from 24.71 GHz to 29.19 GHz) and a gain enhancement of up to 7.57 dB as the slab length increases from 20 mm to 100 mm. The design offers wideband end-fire directivity, low profile, simple fabrication, and compatibility with printed circuit board technology, providing a potential solution for compact mm-wave high-gain radiators.

ABSTRACT. This paper presents a preliminary experimental assessment of the Two-Ray propagation model for LoRa technology over high-altitude freshwater bodies. We report on a measurement campaign conducted at a lake situated above 2500{m}, operating at a frequency of 915 MHz. The analysis compares empirical received-power data with theoretical predictions, resulting in an RMSE of 2.40 dB and a MAE of 2.16 dB. These values suggest that the model may serve as a reasonable first baseline for this type of environment. Although the fixed antenna geometry restricted the observations to the monotonic region of the curve, this study provides an initial foundation for further examination of the potential influence of high-altitude atmospheric conditions on radio propagation.

ABSTRACT. This paper examines the accuracy and validity of the Okumura–Hata propagation model for 915 MHz LoRa networks in the urban environment of Cochabamba. To this end, theoretical path loss predictions are compared with empirical RSSI and SNR measurements collected along planned routes, considering different link distances, antenna heights, and visibility conditions. The developed open-source platform enables systematic field measurements and their comparison with the propagation model. Based on the statistical analysis of the error and systematic deviations, the degree of fit of Okumura–Hata is discussed, as well as the need for local correction factors for similar cities.

ABSTRACT. Terrestrial links operating millimeter band for 5G require accurate estimation of rain attenuation to support high data rates. In this paper, instantaneous rain attenuation at 38 GHz is computed from rainfall rate time series for various path lengths below 2 km. From an statistical point of view, the instantaneous attenuation times series provide similar predictions compared to the ITU-R P.530-18 model. Additionally, although ITU-R P.1853-2 is not typically advised for short path lengths, the analysis indicates that its statistics performs effectively under such conditions.

ABSTRACT. This work presents the development of an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict the geometric dimensions of a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) based on its resonance frequency and bandwidth according with a dataset generated in Ansys HFSS®. The ANN achieved good accuracy, especially for the l dimension, with R2 = 0.93. Explainable AI (XAI) using SHAP was applied to interpret the model, showing a strong influence of l and s in the resonance frequency, while for bandwidth a nonlinear effect on the outputs is observed. The predicted structures were validated by electromagnetic simulations, showing maximum deviation in resonance frequency of 1.22%. The results demonstrate the potential of combining ANN and XAI for modeling and understanding resonant microwave structures.

ABSTRACT. Recent progress in antenna design and propagation modelling for Space Exploration will be discussed and illustrated through a wide range of successful NASA missions.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has developed the first Mars helicopter: Mars Ingenuity. The helicopter has the capability to transmit and receive data from a Mars Rover located at a distance ranging up to 1.5 kilometer. The antenna designs and propagation on the Mars surface will be addressed in this talk. After multiple successful flights, our team collected enough data to compare the accuracy of our models accounting for shadowing effect, multipath, polarization loss, and fading. This involved highly accurate modeling of the Mars Rover and helicopter. Comparison between calculation and measurements will be presented for multiple flights.

The second part of the presentation will discuss recent progress on antennas for Smallsats. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has significantly contributed to the rapid growth of Smallsats antennas with the development of very innovative deployable antennas at X- and Ka-band. The Mars CubeSat One (MarCO) was enabled by a deployable X-band reflectarray that successfully transmitted back to Earth critical data from Insight during its Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) phase. A deployable Ka-band mesh reflector was developed for Raincube, the first radar in a CubeSat, which after a successful deployment on-orbit, collected precious precipitation data all over the globe. This presentation will also cover technology development for future mission covering larger mesh reflectors and metasurface antennas.