AMSAT CubeSatSim — CubeSat Simulator (hardware v2.1.0)
The AMSAT CubeSatSim lab provides a comprehensive introduction to satellite systems engineering through the assembly and operation of a functional CubeSat simulator. Students build a three-board stack featuring a Main Board controlled by a Raspberry Pi Pico, a Solar Board for energy harvesting, and a Battery Board for power management. Throughout the process, learners integrate UHF radio modules for telemetry, deploy environmental sensors including IMUs and barometers, and implement multi-channel power monitoring using I2C current sensors. By completing the project, students gain practical experience in embedded systems, RF communications, solar power regulation, and sensor data acquisition, simulating the critical subsystems of an orbital satellite.
Uploaded by demo on 2026-07-19 · ready · Electronics · Original source ↗
Files: CubeSatSim Main v2.1.0 BOM.xls · cubesatsim-main-v2.1.0_bom.csv.txt · cubesatsim-solar-v2.1.0_bom.csv.txt · cubesatsim-battery-v2.1.0_bom.csv.txt · cubesatsim-main-v2.1.0_schematic.pdf · cubesatsim-solar-v2.1.0_schematic.pdf · cubesatsim-battery-v2.1.0_schematic.pdf · NSF_ATE_provenance.txt
Readiness checks
Latest report — 2026-07-19 15:55
Readiness: AMSAT CubeSatSim — CubeSat Simulator (hardware v2.1.0)
Verdict: Ready with caveats · 2026-07-19 · est. parts cost $185–$230
The system is implementable, but sourcing is fragmented across major electronics distributors (DigiKey/Mouser) and hobbyist retail channels (Adafruit/SparkFun). Specialist UHF transceiver modules must be sourced from niche retailers. Two RF passives require standard substitutions due to stock or cataloging issues, but acceptable alternatives are confirmed. This is a cold check establishing a baseline for the v2.1.0 hardware.
Action required
| Part | Problem | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| SDWL1608C13NJSTFM01 | Out of stock (16-week lead time). | Use substitute Murata LQW18AN13NJ00D. |
| 0603CG160J500NT | No exact catalog matches found for part number. | Use substitute YAGEO CC0603JRNPO9BN160. |
| DRA818V (U7) | Snapshot requires VHF variant; system context requires UHF. | Order DRA818U (UHF 400-470MHz) for compatibility with SR105U. |
Parts
1. Integrated Circuits and Modules (Active)
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi Pico | PICO-PKG-NO_DEBUG | Available | High | $3.99 | Micro Center |
| SR105U UHF Module | SR_FRS_0W5 | Available | 10+ | $12.00 | DWMZone |
| DRA818V Transceiver | DORJI_DRA818V | Available | 10+ | $12.88 | Tindie |
| INA219AIDR | SOIC-8 | Active | 30,391 | $2.12 | DigiKey |
| INA219 Breakout | Purple Board | Available | High | $7.87 | Mouser |
| MPU6050 Breakout | 1x08 0.1" Header | Available | High | $12.90 | DigiKey |
| BME280 Breakout | 1x04 0.1" Header | Available | High | $12.54 | Mouser |
2. RF Components and Antennas
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANT-916-CHP-T | SMT Chip | Active | 2,716 | $3.61 | DigiKey |
| Vertical SMA | SMA-VERT | Active | 100+ | $1.75 | DigiKey |
| 13nH Inductor | 0603 | Out of Stock | 0 | — | DigiKey |
| 18 pF Capacitor | 0603 NPO/C0G | Active | 46,571 | $0.16 | DigiKey |
| 16 pF Capacitor | 0603 NPO/C0G | Not Found | — | — | — |
3. Diodes and Protection
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1N5817 | Axial Schottky | Active | 1,847 | $0.20 | DigiKey |
| BAT20J | SOD-323 | Active | 516 | $0.39 | DigiKey |
| 1N4148 | Axial Signal | Active | 997,222 | $0.10 | DigiKey |
| BYW27-400 | Axial Rectifier | Active | 4,848 | $0.43 | DigiKey |
| RHEF100-2 | PTC Fuse (PTH) | Active | 11,527 | $0.84 | DigiKey |
4. Passives (Resistors and Capacitors)
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistors (All Values) | PTH Axial | Ready | High | ~$0.10 | DigiKey |
| Resistors (100 Ω) | 0805 SMD | Ready | High | ~$0.10 | DigiKey |
| 47 µF Capacitor | CAP-PTH-SMALL | Ready | High | ~$0.45 | DigiKey |
| 100 nF Capacitor | CAP-PTH-SMALL | Ready | High | ~$0.15 | DigiKey |
| 0.1 µF Capacitor | 0603 SMD | Ready | High | ~$0.10 | DigiKey |
| DNI Tuning Resistors | Various | DNI | — | — | — |
5. Connectors and Electromechanical
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keystone 1024 | Single AA Clip | Active | 1,092 | $4.97 | DigiKey |
| Keystone 1012 | Double AA Holder | Active | 12,365 | $8.02 | DigiKey |
| Micro JST Headers | 2-pin 2.0mm | Available | High | $2.99 | Vetco |
| 40-Pin Header | 2x20 Female Tall | Available | High | $2.95 | PiShop USA |
| Audio Jack (SC1464) | 3.5mm PG203J | Active | 7,568 | $3.99 | DigiKey |
| Audio Jack (SJ1-2503A) | 3.5mm Jack | Active | 32,733 | $0.74 | DigiKey |
| USB-C Breakout | Sparkfun 1x06 | Available | 10+ | $4.95 | Sparkfun |
| Pushbutton | RA SPST Tactile | Available | High | $0.16 | DigiKey |
6. Indicators (LEDs)
| Part | Spec/Package | Status | Stock | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (LED1) | 3mm/5mm | Ready | High | ~$0.20 | DigiKey |
| Yellow (LED2) | 3mm/5mm | Ready | High | ~$0.20 | DigiKey |
| Green (LED3) | 3mm/5mm | Ready | High | ~$0.20 | DigiKey |
| Blue (LED4) | 3mm/5mm | Ready | High | ~$0.20 | DigiKey |
| Red (LED5) | 3mm/5mm | Ready | High | ~$0.20 | DigiKey |
Substitutes
| For part | Substitute | Differences | Judgment |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDWL1608C13NJSTFM01 | LQW18AN13NJ00D | Identical: 13nH, 600mA, 130 mΩ. | Acceptable |
| 0603CG160J500NT | CC0603JRNPO9BN160 | Identical: 16pF, 50V, C0G/NP0. | Acceptable |
| DRA818V (U7) | DRA818U | Frequency: UHF (400-470MHz) instead of VHF (134-174MHz). | Required |
Verify any substitute against its datasheet before ordering.
Other dependencies
- PCB Fabrication: Three separate boards designed to Raspberry Pi Zero dimensions (65mm x 30mm); Gerbers required for manufacture (not checked).
- Firmware: Requires Raspberry Pi Pico SDK v1.5+ and Raspberry Pi OS Legacy for controller compatibility (not checked).
- I2C Addressing: Manual solder jumper configuration required on Solar Board INA219 modules (0x40, 0x41, 0x44, 0x45).
- Fabrication: 2-layer PCB stackup required for USB-C pad compatibility.
Watch list
- UHF Modules (SR105U/DRA818U): These are specialized RF components available primarily through hobbyist/specialist retailers; stock is less stable than general distributors.
- Custom Inductor (13nH): RF filter performance is sensitive to this value; if the Murata substitute goes out of stock, any 0603 13nH inductor with ≥ 600mA rating is required.
Snapshot What the lab depended on when it was uploaded — the baseline the readiness checks research against.
This snapshot document describes the temporal dependencies of the AMSAT CubeSatSim v2.1.0 hardware. It is intended for a future researcher to verify part availability and buildability.
Overview
The AMSAT CubeSatSim is a satellite simulator built across three interconnected PCBs: the Main Board, the Solar Board, and the Battery Board. The system is controlled by a Raspberry Pi Pico (Main Board) and often interfaces with a Raspberry Pi Zero (via the 40-pin header). It features a UHF radio subsystem (FM or digital transceiver), environmental sensors (IMU and atmospheric), and a multi-channel solar harvesting and power monitoring circuit.
Bill of Materials
1. Integrated Circuits and Modules (Active)
These are the most critical components for system function. Many are specialized RF modules or breakout boards sourced from retail hobbyist channels.
- Raspberry Pi Pico (U1 - Main Board): 1 unit. Package: PICO-PKG-NO_DEBUG. Sourcing: retail shopping search: Raspberry Pi Pico (standard version without pre-soldered headers).
- SR105U UHF FM Module (U6 - Main Board): 1 unit. Package: SR_FRS_0W5. Description: 0.5W UHF walkie-talkie module. Sourcing: general web research: "SR105U UHF FM module" or "SR-FRS-0W5U".
- DRA818V Transceiver (U7 - Main Board): 1 unit. Package: DORJI_DRA818V. Alternative to U6. Sourcing: general web research: "Dorji DRA818V UHF module".
- INA219AIDR (U2, U10-U14 - Solar; U2 - Battery): 7 units. Package: SOIC-8 (D0008A_N). 26 V, 12-bit digital current/power monitor. Substitution: must be INA219 series for I2C compatibility. Sourcing: distributor lookup: INA219AIDR.
- INA219 "Purple Board" Breakout (U1 - Battery; U3-U8 - Solar): 7 units. Package: Header-mount module. These are standard 0.1 inch pitch breakout boards. Sourcing: retail shopping search: "INA219 current sensor breakout purple".
- MPU6050 IMU Breakout (J4 - Main Board): 1 unit. Package: 1x08 0.1 inch header. 6-axis MotionTracking device. Sourcing: retail shopping search: "MPU6050 breakout board".
- BME280 Sensor Breakout (J5 - Main Board): 1 unit. Package: 1x04 0.1 inch header. Humidity, pressure, and temperature sensor. Sourcing: retail shopping search: "BME280 breakout board 4-pin".
2. RF Components and Antennas
The RF performance depends on these specific passives and connectors.
- Chip Antenna (E1, E2 - Main Board): 2 units. Part: ANT-916-CHP-T. Package: XDCR_ANT-916-CHP-T (Surface Mount). 868MHz/916MHz ISM band. Sourcing: distributor lookup: ANT-916-CHP-T.
- SMA Connector (X2, X3 - Main Board): 2 units. Part: SMA-VERT. Package: Vertical SMA Female PCB mount. Sourcing: retail shopping search: "SMA Vertical PCB mount connector".
- 13nH Inductor (L1, L2 - Main Board): 2 units. Part: Sunlord SDWL1608C13NJSTFM01. Package: 0603. Tolerance: 5%. Sourcing: distributor lookup: SDWL1608C13NJSTFM01.
- Ceramic Capacitors (RF filter - Main Board):
- 18 pF (C1, C3): 2 units. Package: 0603. NPO/C0G. Sourcing: distributor lookup: CC0603FRNPO9BN180.
- 16 pF (C2, C4): 2 units. Package: 0603. NPO/C0G. Sourcing: distributor lookup: 0603CG160J500NT.
3. Diodes and Protection
- 1N5817 (D2, D10 - Main; D1-D6 - Solar): 8 units. Package: D-2.5 (Axial). Schottky Barrier Diode, 1 A, 20 V. Substitution: Any 1 A Schottky with low forward voltage. Sourcing: distributor lookup: 1N5817.
- BAT20J Schottky Diode (D7-D12 - Solar): 6 units. Package: SOD-323. 1 A, 23 V, 620 mV drop. Sourcing: distributor lookup: BAT20J.
- 1N4148 (D3 - Main): 1 unit. Package: D-2.5 (Axial). Small signal switching diode. Sourcing: distributor lookup: 1N4148.
- BYW27-400 (D1 - Main): 1 unit. Package: D-2.5 (Axial). Rectifier diode. Sourcing: distributor lookup: BYW27-400.
- PTC Resettable Fuse (F1 - Main; F1 - Battery): 2 units. Part: RHEF100-2 (PTH) or MF-FSML100/8-2 (0603). 1 A hold current. Sourcing: distributor lookup: RHEF100-2.
4. Passives (Resistors and Capacitors)
Values are reconciled between CSV BOM and PDF schematics; where they differ, the BOM is used.
- Resistors (PTH Axial 0.1 inch/0.25 W):
- 68 Ω (R13, R15): 2 units.
- 100 Ω (R8, R19): 2 units.
- 180 Ω (R14): 1 unit.
- 220 Ω (R9, R20, R29): 3 units.
- 1 kΩ (R1, R3, R7, R30): 4 units.
- 4.7 kΩ (R23, R24; R3, R4 on Solar): 4 units.
- 10 kΩ (R27; R2, R3 on Battery): 3 units.
- Resistors (SMD 0603/0805):
- 100 Ω (R1, R2, R5, R6, R9, R10 on Solar): 6 units, Package 0805.
- Various DNI (Do Not Install) values listed in BOM for tuning (R2, R4, R5, R6, R10, R11, R12, R16, R17, R18, R21, R22, R25, R26, R28, R31, R32, R33, R34 on Main).
- Capacitors (PTH/SMD):
- 47 µF (C5 - Main): 1 unit, CAP-PTH-SMALL.
- 100 nF (C6, C9 - Main): 2 units, CAP-PTH-SMALL.
- 0.1 µF (C2-C7 on Solar): 6 units, Package 0603.
5. Connectors and Electromechanical
- Battery Holders (BT1, BT2 - Battery): 2 units total. BOM specifies Keystone 1024 (Single AA clip) and Keystone 1012 (Double AA holder). Sourcing: distributor lookup: Keystone 1024, Keystone 1012.
- Micro JST (JP series - All Boards): ~30 units. Part: M02JST-PTH-VERT. 2-pin 2.0mm or 1.25mm pitch vertical headers (BOM says standard 2-pin 0.1 inch header but notes JST use). Sourcing: retail shopping search: "2-pin JST-PH vertical header 2.0mm".
- 40-Pin Header (J1 - Main, Solar, Battery): 3 units. Package: 2x20 0.1 inch pitch. Sourcing: retail shopping search: "2x20 female stacking header for Raspberry Pi".
- Audio Jack (X1 - Main): 1 unit. Part: SC1464-ND. Package: PG203J. 3.5mm Jack. Sourcing: distributor lookup: SC1464-ND.
- Audio Jack (J13, J14 - Main): 2 units. Part: SJ1-2503A. Package: 3.5mm Jack. Sourcing: distributor lookup: SJ1-2503A.
- USB-C Breakout (J8 - Main): 1 unit. Part: Sparkfun USB-C Breakout. 1x06 pinout. Sourcing: retail shopping search: "Sparkfun USB-C Breakout".
- Pushbutton (S1 - Main): 1 unit. Part: RA-SPST. Right-angle SPST tactile switch. Sourcing: retail shopping search: "Right angle tactile switch SPST".
6. Indicators (LEDs)
Package: 3mm (BOM) or 5mm (Schematic). Footprint LED3MM used.
- White (LED1): 1 unit.
- Yellow (LED2): 1 unit.
- Green (LED3): 1 unit.
- Blue (LED4): 1 unit.
- Red (LED5): 1 unit.
Fabrication and Software Dependencies
- PCB Requirements: The design consists of three separate boards. While dimensions are not explicitly stated, they are designed to stack with the Raspberry Pi Zero footprint (approx. 65mm x 30mm). Layer count appears to be 2-layer based on the "USB_C_2-LAYER_PADS" description.
- Firmware: The system requires firmware for the Raspberry Pi Pico and the Raspberry Pi Zero (not included in this file set). Versions used at the time of design are likely Pico SDK v1.5+ and Raspbian/Raspberry Pi OS Legacy for compatibility with Zero v1.3/WH.
- Interface: I2C is the primary sensor bus. The Solar board requires specific I2C address configuration (0x40, 0x41, 0x44, 0x45) via solder jumpers (JP10, JP11) on the INA219 modules.
- URLs:
- Project Home:
https://cubesatsim.org - Source Repository:
https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim - Filter Design Reference:
https://chemandy.com/calculators/matching-pi-attenuator-calculator.htm(used for the 17dB attenuator).
- Project Home: