Progress on the use of phased arrays in communications satellites
Abstract
A concept which allows area coverage by a rapidly scanned spot-beam is discussed. The beam is steered so that all parts of the country are covered, but at different times. This works perfectly with a TDMA configuration. To achieve total service, it is necessary to move the beam at a rate such that it can pick up and drop traffic at different ground stations sequentially in time. The limited scan concept was applied to a model of U.S. traffic. A 7 transponder satellite was used with an overall efficiency of 92% and can readily accommodate growth. For the same model, a hybrid system consisting of 6 fixed spot beams plus 1 beam scannable anywhere within the continental U.S. was utilized with an efficiency of only 45%.
- Publication:
-
Joint ESA/COST-204 Phased Array Antenna Workshop
- Pub Date:
- June 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983cpaa.work...45R
- Keywords:
-
- Antenna Arrays;
- Communication Satellites;
- Phased Arrays;
- Technology Utilization;
- Bandwidth;
- Phase Shift;
- Satellite Networks;
- Spacecraft Communication;
- Time Division Multiple Access;
- Communications and Radar