Ultra-wideband phased array for small satellite communications

• Published in: IET microwaves, antennas & propagation Vol. 11; no. 9; pp. 1234 - 1240
• Main Authors: Novak, Markus H, Miranda, Félix A, Volakis, John L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Institution of Engineering and Technology 18.07.2017
• Subjects: antenna phased arrays; antenna radiation patterns; E‐plane scanning pattern; frequency 3.5 GHz to 49 GHz; H‐plane scanning pattern; Ka‐band; Ku‐band; material selection; microwave antenna arrays; millimetre wave antenna arrays; millimetre wave band; multiphysics simulation; nanosatellite communication; printed circuit board fabrication; printed circuit manufacture; Research Article; satellite antennas; satellite system size reduction; satellite system weight reduction; scanning antennas; small satellite communication; space application; temperature distribution; thermal energy distribution; ultra wideband antennas; ultra wideband phased array; VSWR; satellite system size reduction; E-plane scanning pattern; nanosatellite communication; ultra wideband antennas; material selection; ultra wideband phased array; frequency 3.5 GHz to 49 GHz; printed circuit manufacture; Ka-band; millimetre wave band; temperature distribution; antenna radiation patterns; microwave antenna arrays; Ku-band; printed circuit board fabrication; multiphysics simulation; space application; thermal energy distribution; small satellite communication; satellite system weight reduction; VSWR; satellite antennas; millimetre wave antenna arrays; H-plane scanning pattern; scanning antennas; antenna phased arrays
• ISSN: 1751-8725; 1751-8733
• DOI: 10.1049/iet-map.2016.0517

There is a continuing need for reducing size and weight of satellite systems, particularly in light of recent efforts to increase the functional role of small- and nano-satellites (for instance SmallSats and CubeSats). To this end, a family of arrays is presented, demonstrating ultra-wideband operation across the numerous satellite communications frequencies up to the Ku-, Ka-, and millimetre-wave bands. The first design is demonstrated to operate from 3.5–18.5 GHz with VSWR < 2 at broadside, and validated through fabrication of an 8 × 8 prototype. Additional designs operating from 7–37 and 9–49 GHz, both with VSWR < 2.1 at broadside, are verified via simulations only. These designs are optimised for low cost, using printed circuit board fabrication and appropriate materials selection for space application. E- and H-plane scanning patterns are provided. Finally, multi-physics simulations of the array in high-power transmit are conducted. Temperature trends and distribution are given, with the array showing favourable distribution of thermal energy at up to 2 W of RF input power per element, and a peak temperature only 40°C above ambient.