A comparative analysis of frequency scanning and multispot beam satellite systems for mobile communications

Abstract

A comparative analysis between frequency scanning and multispot satellite systems has been performed in the context of land mobile applications. The aim of the work has been to confirm the effectiveness of the frequency scanning approach, whose technical feasibility has already been proved by the authors in a previous study, also in a comparative investigation with a more conventional satellite configuration.A proper comparative methodology has been established to compare two baseline configurations of the two systems. The analysis has also been rendered parametric, varying some system characteristics such as bandwidth, traffic distributions and linearity requirement. The achieved results are provided and widely commented on in the paper. KEY WORDS: comparison criteria; parametric analysis; comparative results frequency scanning satellite system; multispot beam satellite system; mobile communications;

Applications Of Antenna Arrays To Mobile Communications, Part I: Performance Improvement, Feasibility, And System Considerations

“…The capability of the system to generate multiple spot beams with independent power control and frequency use makes it attractive for mobile communications. These capabilities, along with a frequency scanning system, have been evaluated for the European geostationary satellite system in various ESA contracts [105], [106].…”

“…The frequency scanning system considered in [105] and [106] uses an array of active antennas to provide a highgain beam with the capability to steer it at any user location using frequency-dependent interelement phase shift. The same array is used for the transmit as well as for the receive mode.…”

“…The other system developments and experiments to carry out the feasibility studies of antenna arrays for mobile communications include the study of an array mounted on an aircraft using the ETS-V satellite in Japan [115], the study of an array mounted on the roof of a car to receive the German SAT-2 [112], a feasibility study of a frequency scanning satellite system [105], [106], hardware implementation of a four-element adaptive array for high-speed digital mobile communications [125], and a laboratory prototype of a low-power system for mobile communications [165]. The setting up of a consortium to investigate the feasibility of adaptive array technology in third-generation mobile communications systems in Europe is reported in [157].…”

Compensation for the mutual coupling effect in smart antenna arrays

“…In these systems, multiple antenna elements may be utilized on a mobile as well as on a satellite. The capability of the system to generate multiple spot beams with independent power control and frequency had been evaluated in the European geostationary satellite system [5] [45]- [46]. The array was used to track the satellites, cancel interferences arising from the transmission of other satellites and provide protection against unfriendly jamming.…”