Bluetooth for Can Size Satellite Transmissions

[ws0619]

Bluetooth can use??

Hi!I am planning to make a can size satellite.Normally we use FM(radio frequency) to transmit data from satellite to ground station.But can i use Bluetooth to replace FM?I know that Bluetooth is short-range frequency so any idea to solve this problem?Thanks!

 

[HallsofIvy]

Well, if you could, you would be committing a federal crime. What frequencies do you have authority to transmit on?

 

[berkeman]

Hi!I am planning to make a can size satellite.Normally we use FM(radio frequency) to transmit data from satellite to ground station.But can i use Bluetooth to replace FM?I know that Bluetooth is short-range frequency so any idea to solve this problem?Thanks!

As Halls says, you need to be licensed in whatever band you use, unless you use the SIM band. And even in the ISM band (aka the "microwave oven band"), you are limited to something like 5W of power (I forget the numbers right now). With very directional antennas, you might be able to make it from low-earth orbit to the ground, but the antenna will be more like a meter long and 7-10cm wide. That's bigger than your satellite...

 

[ws0619]

Thanks for advising me. But can I just buy a Blutooth device to modify it? Is it need license too?

 

[berkeman]

Thanks for advising me. But can I just buy a Blutooth device to modify it? Is it need license too?

I don't know the FCC rules for putting high-gain antennas on BlueTooth devices. You could try asking at one of the BlueTooth online web forums.

I think power might be an issue as well. BlueTooth is optimized for short range applications, and power is limited to help avoid multi-device interference. You will need some power to get from orbit to the ground, depending on the frequency and type/size of antenna.