PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
Broadband antennas generating multiple beams within frequency/polarisation reuse schemes fall into two categories: single feed per beam (SFPB) requiring at least three antenna apertures, and multiple feed per beam (MFPB) needing only two apertures but with greater feed system complexity. In beam hopping or switching applications, the challenges of beam generation are eased as fewer beams are active simultaneously, enabling simpler, high-performance antenna designs potentially using just one aperture. Beam hopping with dedicated pencil beams in high-traffic areas is commercially valuable, offering flexible, cost-effective traffic management.
The goal was to design an antenna system capable of generating multiple hopped or switched beams from combined or separate transmit/receive apertures, reducing the number of apertures and costs by at least half compared to current solutions. Innovative multibeam antenna solutions have been investigated for both return and forward links.
Challenges
The “Feed Systems enabling Single Reflector Beam Hopping Antenna For High Throughput Satellite” study introduces a Multi-Beam Antenna (MBA) solution designed for flexibility and high-efficiency RF performance across extensive coverage areas.
The first major challenge concern the system architectures choices. It outlines assumptions, constraints, and requirements for versatile V-HTS missions, considering frequency plans, coverage, and bandwidth flexibility. Features of TAS Spacebus-Neo and TAS Space Inspire platforms are discussed, driving the need for a new V-HTS architecture utilizing a TAS DTP6G based solution.
System Architecture
The system comparison was focused on the following parameters :
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System increasing the number of beams in the coverage,
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System increasing the frequency band capacity at iso-power consumed (lower PIRE density),
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Amplification technology (mass, consumption, dissipation, redundancy management) with Mini-TWT vs SSPA Ka band,
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Performances looking at 2 colors FFR (Fractional Frequency Reuse) versus conventional 4 colors schemes,
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Definition, analyses and interest of MPA 2×2 solutions.
The separation of the transmission and reception antennas functions in independent sub-arrays, is naturally conceived on the SPI platform for which the repeater is specialized with on the one hand a HPA matrix on the East face and on the other hand, the receive RF chains on the other satellite side/face.
Plan
This study was divided in five phases:
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Beam Hopping antenna Technical Requirements, This phase is devoted to recall the possible architecture of beam hopping based solutions, to identify the motivations for considering beam hopping system and finally, to consolidate antenna technical requirements.
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Antenna Concept Baseline for Feed System Development, This phase is devoted to identify the preferred beam hopping system and propose antenna concept and associated technologies.
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Feed System Detailed design & Analysis & EM definition, This phase is devoted to the antenna feed system architecture trade-off, focused on solutions based on the combined use of HPA matrix and Multi beam antennas in single multibeam antenna (Mono-R) configuration.
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Manufacturing and assembly of the EM feed system, This phase was devoted to the manufacturing of the Engineering Model,
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RF Test results of the EM feed system This phase was devoted to the tests of the Engineering Model.
Current Status
The activities performed on Feed Systems enabling Single Reflector Beam Hopping Antenna For High Throughput relative to ARTES AT 5B.168 – contract 4000129443 brings a major step for future Ka flexible Ka V-HTS system.
A development plan to make the selected antenna/feed system commercially available has been produced, fixing the TRL at the 7th level, compatible with a medium/long-term (2025 timescale) for its achievement. An antenna demonstrator showed the high degree of maturity of the solution.
