AESA Antennas for Ka band Satellite Communicationproceedings.kaconf.org/papers/2018/bsw_5.pdf · 2....

© Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

AESA Antennas for Ka band Satellite Communication

Oct 16th, 2018

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

1

1. Introduction2. MELCO’s antenna for SATCOM On The Move3. MELCO’s product of phased array4. MELCO’s Ka-band AESA on the Airborne 5. Conclusions

2© Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

1. Introduction

(1) Mitsubishi Electric corporation manufactures various types of satellite communication antennas on the move in this decade.

(2) Firstly, we will show you MELCO’s antenna heritage for satellite communication on the move by using examples of airborne satellite communication system and Helicopter of that.

(3) Secondly, we will show Melco’s production results of phased array antenna.

(4) Lastly, we will introduce MELCO’s Ka-band AESA development progress by using the results of prototype Ka-band AESA.


2. MELCO’s antenna for SATCOM On The Move

’78Base Station withOffset CassegrainAntenna’63

Base Station withCassegrain Antenna Base Station

for SNG

2010～20001990～1990

Vehicle mount SNG

Analog Digital TCP/IP

Helicopter Sat-COM System

Satellite Phone

Land Mobile

Airborne

Maritime

Nowadays

Mobility

Satellite Phone

Broadcasting

Provision for Disaster


We first developed and started production of Ku-band airborne antenna subsystem for satellite communication on commercial airplane in 2004, giving Broadband internet access to passengers on airplane in flight, being equal to that on ground.

We delivered 300 units during 2004 to 2006. 150 of them were installed to airplanes before the service company CBB terminated their service in 2006.

Satellite

Commercial Airplane

Antenna subsystem

Antenna Unit

Polarization Control Unit, etc

Outside

Inside

Service coverage (source: Boeing)

Connection By Boeing (CBB)



Developing modelKa-band AESA

Elliptical Reflectorfor NiCT（Ka band）

Elliptical Reflector（Ku band）

Reflectorfor NiCT（Ka band）

Connection By Boeing (CBB)

Phased Array for Wireless Power Transmission


Technology of SATCOM Antenna on the Airborne

Phased Array for SATCOM

Technology of Phased Array


6

Helicopter Satellite Communication System (HSA40)

We first developed Ku-band helicopter satellite communication system for video transmission directly from helicopter to the ground station by using satellite relay.

We kept developing better and first released this production named Heli Sat in 2013. We keep delivering this system until now.

HSA40 equipment

Ground network distributes Image and Information from helicopter to all aria.

Voice

Video

Ground station

Accidents/Disasters

Operation Image

Indoor equipment

Outdoor equipment



S-band top mount PAA having satisfactory aerodynamics thanks to its lowering posture.

Item Characteristics

Freq.[GHz]Tx 2.670-2.690

Rx 2.515-2.535

CoverageAzimuth 360 deg.

Elevation 20-60 deg.

Number of elements 32

Polarization Circular

EIRP[dBW] 13.0

G/T[dB/K] -15.9

Major Characteristics

• Application : Japanese domestic satellite telephone system utilizing N-STAR

• Feature : Tx : Passive PAA Rx : Active PAA This PAA is adopted as the first practical use

in commercial satcom in Japan

Rx PAATx PAA

Quadri-filar helical antenna elements

Phased Array Antenna installed on the Airborne

H. Sato., “Heritage of Mitsubishi's phased array antennas development for mobile satellite communications,” 2017 11th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation

3. MELCO’s Product of Phased Array


Antenna unit(AU) is consists of Rx PAA,Tx PAA and beam steering unit(BSU)

Antenna tracking :

• The desired beam direction is calculated by Antenna Control Unit(ACU) using position/azimuth information from inertial reference system(IRS)

• Required phase is set in the phase shifter in each PAA via BSU.



*1 National Institute of Information and Communications Technology

Blade of the helicopter

Awaiting solutions : Communication interruption caused by the rotating blades of the helicopter

Solution : To avoid the interruption, the transmit signal is sent only during the interval between the rotating blades by synchronizing between signal transmission period and the blade rotation.

Phased Array on the Helicopter


Receiving Waveform


Mounted APAA Uncovered photo

Item Characteristics

Freq.[GHz]Tx 10.95-12.75

Rx 14.0-14.5

CoverageAzimuth 360 deg.

Elevation 20-60 deg.

Number of ANT elements RX:624, TX:536

Polarization Linear

EIRP[dBW] 13.0

Transmission rate [Mbps] 1.5

G/T [dB/K] -15.9

Size(L x W xH) [mm] 600 x 500 x200

Weight [kg] 35

Major Characteristics

Considering the installation on the helicopter, miniaturized configuration of PAA was realized by the technology of high density of microwave devices.

F. Fujino., “Development of Helicopter Satellite Communication System for the DisasterInformation Transmission,” IEICE TRANS. COMMUN.,Vol.J91-B No.12 pp.1611-1619



Antenna element with parasitic elements for broadband

Multi-layered beam forming network using buildup substrates

Surface mounted RF module using MMIC’s and multi-layered ceramic(LTCC) package with embedded passive circuit

Heat radiation using heat pipes cooled by the wind of the rotating blades and the flight of the helicopter

H. Sato., “Heritage of Mitsubishi's phased array antennas development for mobile satellite communications,” 2017 11th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation



Phased Array Antenna for wireless power transmission[1]

Joint project between JAXA, Japan Space Systems and MELCO

- High efficient microwave output(GaN HPA)- High accuracy microwave beam control(Retro-directive system)- Outdoor microwave power transmission test was succeeded.

[1] T.Takahashi, et al., “Phased Array System for High Efficiency and High Accuracy Microwave Power Transmission,” International symposium on phased array system and technologies, 2016.


Phased Array for WPT Outfield Test


4.1 Why AESA ?4.2 Technical Issues about Satcom AESA 4.3 Development Schedule4.4 MELCO’s AESA Concept4.5 Design(Antenna, PCB and RF-IC)4.6 TX AESA Prototype4.7 Summary

4. MELCO’s Ka-band AESA on the Airborne


- Increasing requirement to antenna- Broadband communication, Lower sidelobe level, Fast handover

Multiple beams and Aperture Size Scalability…

- Lower radome drag for Improvement of fuel efficiency- Recent Advance in Semiconductor Process- Progress in EM simulator*AESA: Active Electronically Scanned Array

- Elliptical Reflector and Horn Array- High Profile due to mechanical beam scanning structure- G/T and EIRP limitation due to profile

Traditional SATCOM Antenna on the Move

New ERA of SATCOM Antenna “AESA”

4.1 Why AESA ?


Mechanically Scanned Array

MechanicallyScanned Reflector

Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)

Beam Scan Mechanical Scan Mechanical Scan Electronic Scan

Antenna Horn Antenna Array Reflector Antenna Patch Antenna Array

Thickness (w/o radome) - 20cm - - 30cm ++ 3cm

Radiation Pattern - - ++ Low Sidelobe Level

G/T and EIRPat High EL angle + + +

G/T and EIRPat Low EL angle

+Mechanical Scan

+Mechanical Scan

-Electrical Scan

Power Consumption + + -

Cost + + -

Scan Speed - - ++

Aperture Scalability - - +

4.1 Why AESA ?


- EIRP and G/T over low EL angle

- Power Consumption

- High Density Assembly

- Operation Bandwidth

- Instantaneous Bandwidth

- Size

- Weight

- Temperature, Vibration

- Antenna（Element, Array)

- PCB Layout Design

- RF-IC

- Package

- Heat Transfer

- Radome

- Environmental resistance design for airborne equipment

FY17 Development

4.2 Technical Issues about Satcom AESA


FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022

Development

Production

Sub-system Test

Sys. Arc. andElements R&D

Basic system verification

Sub-array partial dev.

Full system verification

Antenna dev.

Manufacture

4.3 Development Schedule


1. Very Low Profile- Radiation, beam control, amplifier and combiner/divider on PCB

2. High performance- Wideband : RX 17.7 – 21.2GHz, TX 27.5 – 31.0GHz- Switchable polarization and XPD : RHCP/LHCP, XPD>20dB- Wide beam scanning capability : 0 to 80 degrees from zenith

3. Scalability of Aperture Size- Variable aperture size depending on customer’s requirement- Multi Sub-Array Module Configuration

4.4 MELCO’s AESA Concept


TX-AESA

RX-AESA

機体電源

PSU

ACU

MODEM

ANTENNA

PSUPSU

Aircraft AC

Power

IFPowerControl REF

System block diagram

Inside Aircraft Outside Aircraft

Target

TX Frequency [GHz] 27.5-31.0

RX Frequency [GHz] 17.7-21.2

RX instantaneous BW [MHz] Over 500

TX instantaneous BW [MHz] Over 250

G/T [dB/K]

EIRP [dBW]

TX XPD [dB] > 20

RX XPD [dB] > 20

EL angle range [deg] 10 to 90



TX Item Target

Frequency 27.5 to 31.0 GHz

Size 240 mm x 300 mm

Thickness(w/ RF-IC) 5.4 mm

Num. of ANT Ele./RF-IC

EIRP@60 deg. Scan from zenith

Item Target(Example)



Thickness(w/ RF-IC) < 30 mm


EIRP@60 deg. Scan from zenith

XPD

Excitation Area(RF-IC is mounted)

Sub-Array Module


Sub-Array Module

Example of Full Array



Item Target



Thickness(w/ RF-IC) 5.4 mm


Antenna Gain@60 deg. Scan from zenith

XPDSub-Array Module


RX


Sub-Array Module


- Wide Frequency Bandwidth (Relative BW is about 18%)- Wide Beam Scanning Capability (0 to 80 degrees from zenith)- High Radiation Efficiency and High XPD

Requirement for Antenna Element in SATCOM AESA

Antenna Element of Array

Reflector Horn Patch Our Design

Profile ---h=30

--h=15

++h=0.15

++h=0.2

Bandwidth + + - +

Radiation Efficiency + + - +

XPD in Low EL Angle - - - +

Array/Feed Structure - - - - - ++ ++

Manufacturability and Cost - - - - ++ +

Evaluation NG NG NG OK

4.5 Design (Antenna)


Array Design

(1) Air Gap

(2) Parasitic Element

Antenna Element

Ground

(3) Cavity Structure

Pow. & Cont.Line Layer

RF Feed Line

To RF-IC

- We have overcome the disadvantage of patch array by new ideas, EM design and manufacturing technique.

Ground

(1) Air gap -> High Radiation Efficiency and XPD(2) Parasitic Element -> Wide bandwidth (3.5GHz BW)(3) Cavity Structure -> Wide beam scanning capability (0 to 80 deg. Scan)

4.5 Design (Antenna)


Requirement in SATCOM AESA

iPhone7 vs. TX-AESA

RF-IC

https://www.apple.com/jp/shop/buy-iphone/iphone-7

Antenna Element

- Wide beam scanning capability- Two port feed to antenna element- ANT, RF, power and control lines

iPhone7

- Narrow Space between RF-IC(about 11mm)- 336 ANT Elements, 672 ANT ports and

84 RF-IC on iPhone7.

4.5 Design (PCB)


RF

Power(Analog)Power(Digital)

Cont

RF-IC

- Multi Layered PCB- Detail RF Design for lower loss- High density layout(RF, pow and cont)

4.5 Design (PCB)

RF-ICAntenna Element

Ab

ou

t 2

0m

m


- Small size- WLCSP(Wafer Level Chip Scale Package)

Requirement in SATCOM AESA

(1) AESA Requirement- TX requirement : High OP1dB and high efficiency- RX requirement : Low noise figure - Low Power Consumption- Low cost : AESA has thousands of RF-ICs- Digital control : High accuracy and precise control of phase shifter and VGA

(2) Layout Requirement

4.5 Design (RF-IC)


Aspects SiGe Si-CMOS GaAs GaN

Transition Frequency + + ++ ++

Output Power + - ++ +++

Efficiency + - ++ ++

Noise Level + ++ ++ ++

Integration+

Analog and Digital+

Analog and Digital- -

Only Analog- -

Only Analog

Process++

Bi-CMOS, HBT+

CMOS-

HEMT, HBT(NPN)-

HEMT, HBT(NPN)

Cost ++

(in the near future)- - - -

Process Technology Trade off

- SiGe or Si-CMOS process will be a best selection as SATCOM AESA application. We are now developing SiGe RF-ICs.

- GaN/GaAs must be used with another process because of digital control.-> Due to the PCB layout design and cost, GaN/GaAs is NOT appropriate.

4.5 Design (RF-IC)


Purpose: Basic Design(Antenna, RF and PCB)RF evaluation(Scan Angle, EIRP and XPD)

Antenna Elements

Mother Board(RF-IC)

Back View

Front End IC

Front View

Power Line

4.6 TX AESA Prototype


RF

Power(Analog)Power(Digital)

Cont

HPAP/SVGA

ANT

Block Diagram

RF-IC

Item Specification

Frequency [GHz] 27.5 – 31.0

Thickness [mm] 4.8 (w/ RF-IC)

Beam Scan Angle [deg.] 0 to 80 from zenith

Number of ANT/RF-IC 16/4

Gain Control [bit] 5

Phase Control [bit] 5

XPD > 20

Specification



(a-1) 29.75GHz, LHCP (a-2) 29.75G Hz, RHCP

(b) 27.75GHz, LHCP (c) 30.75G Hz, LHCP

Radiation Pattern in yz Plane



(a) 27.75GHz, LHCP (b) 29.75GHz, LHCP (c) 30.75GHz, LHCP

XPD in yz Plane

(a) 30.0GHz, LHCP (b) 30.0GHz, RHCP

Radiation Pattern(Measured data and Simulation)

- Measured data agrees well with simulation data- Over 22dB XPD was obtained(27.5 to 30.0GHz)



Ka-band AESA- AESA has many advantage against traditional SATCOM antenna. - AESA system is undeveloped region and there are many

issues(antenna, RF-IC, PCB…)

MELCO’s Ka-band AESA- MELCO will shift from traditional antenna to AESA- Ka-band AESA Project is ongoing with NICT.- TX prototype in FY2017 and RX prototype in FY2018 - Commercial product in 2022

Key for the realization of Ka-band AESA- Comparable cost an power consumption- Basic design of antenna, RF-IC and PCB- AESA design considering installation and radome.

4.7 Summary


5. Conclusions

(1) We showed the several types of satellite communication antennas on the move manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric in this decade.

(2) Firstly, we introduced our airborne satellite communication system and helicopter of that. And we has developed a new satellite communication antenna by combining the technologies of satellite communication antenna on the move and phased array antenna.

(3) Secondly, we introduced the production results of phased array antenna on the move. These results mean that MELCO has the capability of product like MELCO’s Ka-band AESA antenna.

(4) Lastly, we introduced the development progress of MELCO’s AESA antenna. In 2017, we tried a prototype TX-AESA, and confirmed the measurement results as designed.

Acknowledgements This study is conducted under the commissioned research of the “Research anddevelopment on narrow band frequency technology using Active Electronically ScannedArray (AESA) antenna that can be installed on small aircraft” by the Ministry of InternalAffairs and Communications.

And thanks for cooperation of NICT on this research and development.

AESA Antennas for Ka band Satellite Communicationproceedings.kaconf.org/papers/2018/bsw_5.pdf · 2....

Documents

Transcript of AESA Antennas for Ka band Satellite Communicationproceedings.kaconf.org/papers/2018/bsw_5.pdf · 2....