PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
This project was aimed at the development of low-profile and low-cost hybrid mechanical-electronic steerable antenna concepts that will allow reception of the signal transmitted by Ku-band geostationary satellites to cars and other vehicles.
The activity is driven by the emergence of novel mobile multimedia applications requiring high quality services and global coverage, which needs antennas that can be mounted on vehicles without affecting their aerodynamic and aesthetic profile.
The project focused on the development of two prototypes.
The Large aperture antenna (LAA) is able to receive the actual DVB-S system in a mobile environment. This antenna can replace the normal parabolic dishes and receive the same programs. This antenna is compatible with existing SAT receivers and has a size of about 60 cm of diameter for 7 cm of thickness.
The Small Aperture Antenna (SAA) is suitable for the reception of the new Ku-band mobile system, developed by SES Global and other industries, targeting multimedia broadcasting and podcasting to vehicles. This antenna can be used only in combination with a new type of receiver specifically dedicated to this service (http://telecom.esa.int/mobilekureceiver). The target maximum size is 20 cm of diameter and 4 cm of thickness.
Challenges
The main challenges addressed in this activity are the following:
- Minimisation of the antenna thickness
This has been achieved thanks to the electronic steering (no vertical movements), the custom design of a very thin rotary joint and mechanical structure. - Low cost production and assembly
The array design allows to minimise the number of electronic components with respect to canonical active phased array design. All the antenna components have been optimised to reduce the production cost and several assembly steps are suitable for automated processes. - Reduction of the antenna size
Obtained thanks to the implementation of active elements, which maximise the efficiency of the antenna.
Plan
The activity has been executed in three main phases:
Review of requirements and specifications and Baseline Design
Requirements will be review upon review of customer needs and final specifications will be set accordingly. The details of antenna architecture will be studied and traded-off in a Baseline Design of the LAA and SAA.
Antenna Prototypes Development and Validation
Development of antenna parts and integration of prototypes of the LAA and SAA. Test of the antennas.
Demonstration
Test of the complete antenna systems installed on cars and in operational conditions with direct satellite reception on the move.
Current Status
The project has been successfully completed. The prototypes of the LAA and of the SAA, shown in the figures below, have been manufactured and tested. Field trials have been conducted performing drive tests with the antennas installed on commercial vehicles. The antennas have demonstrated excellent performances for both type of targeted services.
Additional results of the activity are: a custom phase shifter chip operating at both receive and transmit Ku bands, a closed loop Antenna Control Unit and a very low profile and low cost L-band rotary joint.
The antennas have been demonstrated in public workshops and specific actions toward the commercialisation of the two antennas are currently in progress.
Prototype of the Large Aperture Antenna
Prototype of the Small Aperture Antenna
