PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
This project is aimed to study several transmit active array antenna concepts, both in Ku and Ka band, with the capability to address several missions with one competitive antenna in terms of performance and cost. The main technical challenge is to develop efficient reconfigurable antennas capable to support different high data-rate services at a cost that is proportionate to the market benefits and which makes them a viable alternative to reflector-based antennas.
The objectives of the activity are:
- To make a survey of different scenarios where a transmit array antenna could provide an enhanced solution to cope with the market demands in Ku and Ka band.
- To study different array antenna concepts from the RF, mechanical and accommodation point of view in order to prove the suitability and to minimise consumption, mass and cost of this kind of antennas.
- To carry out a preliminary design that combines the most promising RF, mechanical and accommodation concepts.
- To propose a development plan for the most critical elements or technologies.
Challenges
This activity is intended to develop a transmit array antenna concept that can penetrate the market as soon as possible, combining the most appropriate solutions to cope with the critical points of the DRAs (mass, volume, efficiency) and identifying a roadmap for the critical elements or promising technologies.
Plan
The proposal for the ITT AO/1-5844/08/NL/CLP was sent in November 2008, and the Kick-off of the activity took place in March 2009.
During the first phase of the project, a survey of possible scenarios in which an array antenna would meet the market demand was done. This phase culminated in a Mission Requirement Review meeting in May 2009, in which the best mission scenario was selected.
This was followed by a study of different antenna concepts to fulfill the mission requirements, which culminated in a Concept Selection Review in November 2009.
The detailed design of the selected concept was done along the third phase of the project, which ended with the Baseline Design Review in September 2010.
Current Status
Several mission scenarios in which a DRA antenna could solve the market necessities have been identified.
An assessment of different array antenna concepts capable to provide the required performances of the selected mission has been carried out.
The detailed design of the most promising array antenna concept both for Ka and Ku band has been done. The selected concept is based on technologies currently available; nevertheless, a roadmap identifying the activities needed to be pursued to improve the proposed concept has been elaborated. Within the possible improvements, the optical technology to implement the beam forming networks and the GaN technology for the SSPAs are the most remarkable.