PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The final objective of whole JANUS Program is to design, develop and test a Bi-Band (Ka- and Ku-band) Maritime Antenna System (JANUS) tailored for a cost-effective provision of broad-band satellite communications services to medium commercial vessels (so-called “ships” typically in the range of 20-40 metres), even though it is feasible and desirable to offer JANUS also to the market of larger ships.
Challenges
The main challenge for the project is to identify solutions able to provide an Antenna System with dual band capabilities meeting the expected electrical performances (high antenna efficiency, low RF losses) and mechanical performances and constraints (simple frequency band switching method, efficient polarization switching method, low weight, robustness) trying to keep, at the same time, production costs reasonable.
Plan
JANUS Program is subdivided in two cascaded phases (Phase 1 and Phase 2).
Phase 1- Preparatory Program: The aim of this phase is to define a well set of needs and a baseline design for the antenna system.
Phase 2- Development Program: Starting from the results consolidated at the end of Phase 1, the aim of the Phase 2 is to design, develop and test the JANUS product. The main outcome of Phase 2 will be three prototypes having a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) equal to 5. These prototypes will be ready at the end of Phase 2 for a subsequent validation campaign in a relevant operational environment and for the industrialisation of the product.
Current Status
Phase 1 and all pertaining tasks have been fulfilled.
The preparatory work has been completed and the key specifications required for starting the prototyping have been consolidated.
Phase 2 tasks are currently ongoing.
Design activities have been completed with successful closure of PDR and CDR milestones.
Accomplished activities include:
- Breadboarding of critical components in order to minimize risks during development phase
- Consolidation of all subsystems electrical and mechanical design (Antenna, RF chain, Tracking & Stabilization, Positioning) and overall terminal design
- Selection of Commercial Off-The-Shelf components
- Torque budget analyses
- Structural Design Consolidation
- Assembly, Integration and Testing activities definition
At present Procurement and Manufacturing process is ongoing and integration of available subsystems is being conducted.
Final delivery expected by end of the year.
