A cost-effective modular phased array

Abstract

The authors discuss a phased array antenna design consisting of multiple, modular, flat panels the number of which is determined by specific application requirements. Each panel has 512 antenna elements which are driven by their own Application Specific Integrated Circuits, in order to control the signal phase needed for electronic beam steering. Furthermore, the antenna elements can transmit (or receive) in orthogonal polarisation states. In the first embodiment, Ku-band microwave signals (receive over 10.95-12.75 GHz and transmit over 14.0 -14.5 GHz) are phase-aligned, down converted to baseband and summed, permitting the receiver and the digital control circuitry to be fabricated on one low-cost SiGe ASIC. It is envisaged that this approach will be a cost-effective alternative to mechanically steered dish antennas for radar, satellite communication and point to point communications, while bearing the advantages of flat or conformal structure and no moving parts.

Research on Quantization Error Influence of Millimeter-Wave Phased Array Antenna

“…Conventional phased array antennas have problems such as greater complexity and high cost [16]; we can use digital technologies splice digital array unit formed of different sizes and form fronts to reduce design difficulty [17]. However, in practical engineering, there are extensive excitation errors caused by amplitude and phase changes [18], as well as deformation errors caused by processing and using.…”

Antennas for Satcom-on-the-Move, Review

“…The antenna described in [24] operates in Ku-band. The novelty of this antenna is that the signals are phase aligned and then summed at the baseband.…”

Проблемы создания антенн с электрическим сканированием луча для абонентских терминалов спутниковых систем связи в Ku- и Ka-диапазонах.

“…Принципы, подобные SatixFy, заложены в концепции АФАР с цифровым диаграммоформированием компании Phasor Solutions Ltd. (США / Англия). Краткое техническое описание и характеристики антенны Ku-диапазона приведены на сайте компании (табл.3 и 4), а так же в докладе [33]. Основными элементами антенны являются активные каналы АФАР, выполненные в виде специализированных микросхем (ASIC) фирмы Phasor.…”