Avionic satellite communication terminal requirements and technology maturity analysis

Due to the increased demand for global connectivity, there has been a growing interest in the development and use of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) for applications (such as aeronautics) where terrestrial networks are not available or do not deliver satisfying performance. The use of newly deployed constellations in non geostationary satellite orbits (NGSO) is getting much attention as it could potentially enable new performance levels in these applications, bridging the gaps of geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) systems. However, it has also lead to the need for more complex terminals, capable of continuously steering their beams towards the satellites. User terminals and their corresponding antennas become therefore crucial elements of the system. Their use in avionic applications has more peculiarities and constraints typical of the application. This paper focuses on the special constraints on the antenna terminal while taking into account an avionics satellite communication scenario and identifies potentialities and limitations of the use of NGSO systems as well as of the current technologies for airborne terminals

Modeling and design of a plasma-based transmit-array with beam scanning capabilities

Abstract This work presents the proof of concept of a novel plasma-based transmit-array antenna with beam scanning capabilities. The transmit-array operates above the GHz (precisely at 1.6 GHz) and is capable of steering its main lobe up to thirty degrees. A metallic half-wave dipole is used as the active element of the transmit-array, while twenty-five cylindrical plasma discharges are adopted to steer the beam of the antenna simply by turning them on or off. These passive elements are geometrically displaced in a triangular lattice. A customized two-steps optimization strategy is used to choose the best geometrical parameters of the array and to select the subset of plasma discharges that maximizes the gain of the antenna for each desired scanning angle. Towards this aim, a particle swarm optimization is first used to optimize the geometrical parameters of the array, and then a genetic algorithm is adopted to select the optimal subset of plasma discharges that need to be turned on to scan the beam towards different directions. The designed transmit-array was modeled in CST Microwave Studio, using realistic plasma parameters extrapolated from measurements of a fabricated plasma discharge prototype

Optimality Concepts and Solutions in Next-Generation Antenna Arrays

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New Trends for Smart EM Environments

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