Intern – RF Communications
Intern or GET
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
About
We are seeking a passionate and research-oriented Intern to contribute to support the design, development, and validation of Radio Frequency (RF) communication subsystems used in Red Balloon’s aerostat, balloon, and near-space platforms. The focus will be on establishing robust air–ground links, optimizing antenna and transceiver performance, and ensuring reliable data relay for radar, telemetry, and control systems under varying atmospheric and operational conditions.
Description
RF System Design & Analysis
• Assist in designing RF architectures for telemetry, command, and payload data transmission between aerial platforms and ground stations.
• Participate in frequency planning, link budget calculations, and channel modeling across VHF, UHF, L-band, and S-band communication systems.
• Support the development of low-latency, high-reliability communication chains suitable for stratospheric environments.
Hardware Development & Integration
• Work with engineering teams to select and integrate transmitters, receivers, power amplifiers, filters, and antennas for mission requirements.
• Assist in configuring redundant RF chains with automatic fail-over to maintain continuous connectivity.
• Support testing and tuning of RF front-end modules (VSWR measurement, impedance matching, gain and noise figure optimization).
Antenna Systems
• Participate in the design, simulation, and testing of antenna systems (Yagi, patch, helical, and phased-array types) for airborne applications.
• Conduct range and radiation pattern tests to validate coverage and gain performance.
• Optimize antenna placement for minimal interference and structural integration with the payload gondola.
Signal Processing & Software Configuration
• Configure and validate Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) using GNURadio, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.
• Support development of modulation/demodulation schemes, error-correction protocols, and data encryption methods.
• Collaborate with embedded software teams to integrate RF communication modules into the onboard avionics.
Testing & Validation
• Conduct bench-level RF testing, including power output, frequency drift, and spurious emission analysis.
• Participate in field trials to assess performance in real-time conditions, including long-range and high-altitude communication tests.
• Assist in interference analysis and mitigation for multi-payload or dense communication environments.
Regulatory Compliance & Documentation
• Support preparation of documentation for spectrum licensing, frequency coordination, and compliance with national communication authorities (e.g., WPC/DoT).
• Maintain detailed test logs, calibration data, and performance reports.
• Assist in preparing Interface Control Documents (ICDs), RF wiring schematics, and signal path documentation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with radar, telemetry, and avionics teams to ensure seamless data flow and synchronization across systems.
• Participate in design reviews and assist in resolving integration issues between RF and control systems.
• Provide technical inputs for future communication system upgrades (e.g., 5G NTN, optical RF hybrids).
Requirements
• Final-year or postgraduate student in Electronics & Communication Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Candidates pursuing Ph.D. or MTech research in communication systems, SDN/NFV, or 6G technologies are encouraged to apply.
Desired
• Strong understanding of RF fundamentals: frequency, wavelength, modulation, bandwidth, link budget, and signal propagation.
• Familiarity with VHF, UHF, L-Band, and S-Band systems used in aeronautical and satellite communications.
• Knowledge of antenna theory — impedance matching, radiation patterns, polarization, and gain optimization.
• Understanding of telemetry, command, and control links for aerial or stratospheric platforms.
• Exposure to radar, IFF, or aviation communication systems is a plus.
• Understanding of modulation schemes (AM/FM, PSK, QAM, FSK, OFDM).
• Familiarity with data link and error correction protocols (CRC, FEC, ARQ).
• Awareness of aviation and defense communication standards (Air Band, IFF, MIL-STD-1553, DO-160).
• Exposure to NTN / 5G or satellite communication systems is advantageous