A Low-Cost Ultra Low Profile Phased Array System for Mobile Satellite Reception Using Zero-Knowledge Beamforming Algorithm

• Published in: IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation Vol. 56; no. 12; pp. 3667 - 3679
• Main Authors: Mousavi, P., Fakharzadeh, M., Jamali, S.H., Narimani, K., Hossu, M., Bolandhemmat, H., Rafi, G., Safavi-Naeini, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.12.2008; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Antenna arrays; Antennas; Applied sciences; Array signal processing; Beamforming; Design engineering; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Field study; Microstrip antenna arrays; Microstrip antennas; Mobile antennas; mobile reception; Phase shifters; phased array antenna; Phased arrays; Radiocommunications; satellite antenna; Satellite antennas; Satellite broadcasting; satellite communications system; Satellite telecommunications. Space telecommunications; Satellites; Sensor arrays; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; tracking system; Transmission and modulation (techniques and equipments); Ku band; Microstrip antenna arrays; mobile reception; Low noise amplifier; satellite communications system; Phased array antenna; Field experiment; Beam forming; Broadcast satellite; Elevation; Azimuth; Microstrip antennas; tracking system; Fast algorithm; Plane antenna; Mobile antenna; Antenna array; Cost lowering; Target tracking; satellite antenna; Centimetric wave; Two dimensional model; Calibration; Planar antenna arrays; Phase shifter; Beamforming; A priori estimation
• ISSN: 0018-926X; 1558-2221
• DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2008.2005928

In this paper, a stair-planar phased array antenna system for mobile broadcast satellite reception in Ku-band will be introduced. The height of the antenna is only 6 cm and the system has two-dimensional electronic scanning capability. The design procedures of low profile high gain microstrip sub-array antennas, low noise amplifiers, hybrid analog phase shifters, along with a novel fast electronic beamforming algorithm will be discussed in this paper. The mobile phased array antenna receives LHCP and RHCP signals simultaneously. For each polarization 496 microstrip elements have been used to provide a radiation gain of 31.5 dBi. This phased array system scans plusmn2.8 deg in azimuth and plusmn20 deg in elevation with less than 3 dB scanning loss. The main objective of this design is to develop a Ku-band phased array system with very low cost components and a minimum number of tracking sensors. A novel beamforming algorithm compensates for the fabrication inaccuracies of the microwave components and variations in their characteristics due to ambient changes. Neither a priori knowledge of the satellite's direction, nor the phase-voltage characteristic of the phase shifters are required in this algorithm which results in eliminating an expensive laborious calibration procedure. The real time field tests verify that the developed mobile antenna system can nullify the base vehicle yaw disturbances up to 60 deg/s and 85 deg/s 2 .