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A compact switched‐beam array antenna for mobile satellite communications
Author(s) -
Karmakar N. C.,
Bialkowski M. E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
microwave and optical technology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1098-2760
pISSN - 0895-2477
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2760(19990505)21:3<186::aid-mop9>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - communications satellite , antenna (radio) , telecommunications , satellite , beam (structure) , mobile telephony , computer science , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , mobile radio , optics , aerospace engineering
This paper presents the design and development of a compact switched‐beam array antenna for operation with the Australian mobile satellite communications system. Mobilesat TM . The antenna is formed by eight aperture‐coupled microstrip patch elements that are positioned on the side of a truncated cone. Two elements, facing the satellite, are activated using an eight‐way two‐ports‐on radial switch. The output ports of the radial switch incorporate 1‐bit phase shifters. A total of 24 beams are produced using this beam‐forming system. In order to reduce the manufacturing cost, inexpensive substrates and low‐cost UHF p‐i‐n diodes are employed. Further reduction in cost is achieved by eliminating coaxial connectors between the beam‐forming network and the antenna elements. Experimental results are presented for the individual antenna elements, the beam‐forming network, and the entire switched‐beam array. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 21: 186–191, 1999.