User terminal antennas for S‐band mobile satellite communication systems

Abstract

This paper presents the design of two types of S-band antennas suitable for mobile satellite communication applications. One design is based on omnidirectional radiating elements and targets consumer systems installed on cars. The other uses an array of four elements with electronic switching, controlled by embedded sensors, to generate directive beams with gain higher than the one that could be provided by an omnidirectional antenna. This latter design targets primarily applications for professional vehicles requiring higher data rates, but it also enables the use of S-band in a wider satellite footprint. The main aspects of antenna design and of validation results are described.

Special issue on S‐band mobile satellite technologies

“…Two leading European antenna manufacturers present in and their user terminal antenna prototypes to primarily target professional automotive applications. The main aspects of antenna design are introduced, and the performance of switchable dual polarized vehicular transmit/receive antennas is validated.…”