Phase Array Technologies for Mobile Satellite Communications in the K Band
- Paper number
IAC-06-B3.2.06
- Author
Mr. Sasa Dragas, TTI, Spain
- Coauthor
Mrs. Laura González, TTI, Spain
- Coauthor
Mrs. Ana Ruiz Laso, TTI, Spain
- Coauthor
Mr. Tirso Velasco, TTI, Spain
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The increasing overcrowding of Satellite Communications in the microwave bands up to Ku Band (12 to 18GHz) has driven the interest for the use of higher frequency bands in the last years. A large number of national, regional and global satellite systems in the K (18 to 26GHz) and Ka (26 to 40GHz) Bands are being developed, for the provision of both civil and military communication services. The use of higher frequencies have the advantages of greater bandwidths and antenna gains but, in the other hand, rises a number of issues related to the communication technologies and protocols, but also to propagation, markets or new regulatory frameworks and policies.
This paper discusses the design and development by the Spanish SME TTI of phased-array antennas for mobile user terminals in the K Band. Three different phase array solutions, to be used for future mobile applications and services, will be presented:
- A linear polarised antenna for low bit rate communications, developed for ITALSAT satellite network within EU IST Program.
- A circular polarised only receive phase array antenna, designed and tested for military broadcast applications.
- A fully integrated only receive system (antenna + RF front-end), providing beam scan jointly with generation of any polarisation state including polarisation tracking, in development under ESA TRP Program.
All three designs are based on hybrid satellite tracking, mechanical in azimuth and electronic in elevation. The systems have been fully developed and tested, with the main objective of providing a low profile contour of the communication terminal. At the same time, the antenna sub-system has to point at very low elevation angles, while maintaining system functionality. This represents a challenge in antenna design and integration with RF front-end, which is faced in the above-mentioned designs through different approaches. While the two first systems are based on the combination of several inclined antenna panels in order to obtain a low profile terminal, the last one uses multilayer technology resulting in a higher level of integration.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B3.2.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.