Towards Wireless Ranging and Synchronization Using CubeSat Software-Defined Radio Subsystems

An approach towards wireless ranging and synchronization using commercial of-the-shelf software-defined radio payloads for small satellites, esp. CubeSats is studied. The approach only relies on the programmable logic configuration and processing system software. No hardware modifications or additions to the payloads are necessary. Experimental evaluation of the initial implementation shows a standard deviation of time-of-flight-based ranging measurements in the order of 1 cm, which renders the concept of interest for distributed satellite system missions.