College

Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences

Date of Last Revision

2023-05-04 08:34:28

Major

Aerospace Systems Engineering

Honors Course

4900:497

Number of Credits

2

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2021

Abstract

The goal of this project is to examine the feasibility of implementing a 5G wireless network in a lunar environment. In order to do so, the ideas and technologies behind 5G should be explored, as well as how it relates to previous wireless technologies in terms of speed, coverage, latency, and other important factors for a successful lunar network. A simplified representation of the lunar network was created to observe how the system would function. Two Arduino Uno boards were used alongside a wifi shield to simulate a lunar rover taking in data through sensors, compiling the data, sending it through a 5G network to a station or satellite, and then the data being transmitted back to a terrestrial command station. We hoped to show with the design of our network that a lunar network utilizing 5G would be a feasible and worthwhile option for communication on and with the moon. Our group expected to see some limitations including range and coverage limitations for the different levels of 5G data transfer and potentially other limitations due to the conventions of AT commands for telephone communication. The study, testing, and implementation of a 5G lunar network would have far-reaching effects in the space exploration field. Once active, the network would allow for a base of operations to be built and communicated with effectively. This could open up the possibility of easier access to Mars and other planets in the future.

Research Sponsor

Daniel Raible

First Reader

Manigandan Kannan

Second Reader

Christopher Daniels

Honors Faculty Advisor

Scott Sawyer

Honors Project Signatures.pdf (281 kB)
Honors Project Signatures

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