Smart Antenna Terminal for Broadband Mobile Satellite ...

Smart Antenna Terminal forBroadband Mobile Satellite Communications

at Ka-BandA .Dreher(2), A. Geise(1), R. Gieron(4), S. Holzwarth(4), C. Hunscher(3),

A. F. Jacob(1), K. Kuhlmann(1), O. Litschke(4), D. Lohmann(4), H. Pawlak(1), W. Simon(4), L. C. Stange (OHB GmbH), M. Thiel(2)

(1) (2) (3) (4)

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AeronauticsDays 2006

Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Introduction – background and visionSystem conceptSANTANA phase 1 - results• 1st demonstrator – Tx• 1st demonstrator – Rx

SANTANA phase 2 - improvements• Architecture• RF-to-antenna interconnect• Rx antenna element• Tx antenna LTCC multilayer structure

Outlook - mobile field test• Ground field tests• Airborne field fests

Overview

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Introduction - Background

SANTANA – „Smart Antenna Terminal“

2-phase project, phase1: 2001-2003, phase 2: 2003-2006Funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on behalf of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) under research contracts 50YB0-101,-104, -304 and -311Development of key technologies for mobile groundsegments in Ka-band

Rising demand for mobile broadband communicationsNext generation broadbandKa-Band satellite systemsElectronically steerableantennas for mobile terminals

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

General Profile30 GHz uplink (Tx antenna)20 GHz downlink (Rx antenna)Separate Tx- and Rx antennasElectronical scanning / trackingDigital beam forming (DBF)Circular polarisationModular architecture

Introduction – General Profile

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

System Concept - DBF

Classical BeamformingRF- phase and amplitudeshiftersLow system flexibility

Digital Beamforming (DBF)Phase and amplitude settingson baseband levelComplete Rx resp. Txcircuitry for each elementHigh system flexibilityHigh packaging density

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

System Concept - Modular Architecture

Modular ConceptModules consistingof 4x4 elementsCustomized array sizesfor different applicationsEasy maintenanceof modulesBase plate providesclock and LO generation,power supply and cooling

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 1 – Tx Demonstrator

RF with 16patches

4 IF boards

Basebandmainboard

4 Txchannelboards

Txdistributionboard

4x4 Tx antenna, RF module, IF and baseband

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR


-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

-90 -60 -30 0 30 60 90

angle [deg]

E-Fe

ld r

el. t

o m

ax. [

dB] 30

20100-10-20-30

Successful calibration and tracking of Tx antennaSuccessful verification of system functionality

8


Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 1- Rx Demonstrator

RF with16 patches

4 IF boards

Basebandmainboard

Rx distributionboard

4 Rx channelboards

4x4 Rx antenna, RF module, IF and baseband

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 1 – Rx Demonstrator

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

-90 -60 -30 0 30 60 90

angle [deg]

Mag

nitu

de [d

B] 30

150-15-30

Successful calibration and tracking of Rx antennaSuccessful verification of system functionality

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 2 – Architecture

Antenna

Front-end

Metal cooling plate

Manifold

4 IF boards

MMICs, filters,capacitors

LO transition

Cut-outs forcooling tubes

To digital signalprocessing, DC supply

Calibration network(Tx antenna only)

Cut-outs for MMICson backside

Connectors to IF

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 2 – RF-to-Antenna Interconnect

To RFamplifier

To antennafeed

Anisotropic conductiveadhesive (ACA) conduction only insubstrate normal direction

Antennamodule

Front-endmodule

16 transitions GroundedCPW

CPW (depicted)or stripline

Seperate designand testing ofantenna and RFbefore finalassembly

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 2 – Rx Antenna Element

New RF to antenna interconnectionModification of former Tx antennadesignAperture-coupled patch antennaRadiating element and interconnectdesigned and measured separately

3D view

Detail 4x4 antenna arrayFront Back

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 2 – LTCC Multilayer Antenna

11 LTCClayers Patch

Calibrationnetwork

RF interface

Hybrid ringcoupler

Probe

Cavity

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Antenna Element Circularly polarisedpatch (cavity-buried)

Calibrationprobes

Via-fence

Exitation ports(from hybrid coupler)


Frequency range: 29.5 - 30 GHz

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Calibration Network

2 probesper element

Cell size1 element

To internalcalibrationreceiver

In-phaseaddition

Symmetricalnetwork


16


Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR


RF with 64patches

16 IF boards

Basebandmainboard

Tx channelboards

Tx distributionboard

Powerboard

8x8 Tx antenna, RF modules, IF and baseband boards

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Phase 2 - Rx Demonstrator

RF with 64patches

16 IF boards

Basebandmainboard

Rx channelboards

Rx distributionboard

Powerboard

8x8 Rx antenna, RF modules, IF and baseband boards

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Mobility Tests - Car

Car as mobilecommunicationplatform

4 modules mounted on measurement platform

Data rate uplink:400kBit/secData rate downlink:28 Mbit/s

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Mobility Tests - Airplane

4 modules mounted on ground

Airplane as mobilecommunicationplatform

Altitude: 3kmVelocity: 70m/sMax. angular velocity: 1.3 deg/sData rate uplink: 400kBit/secData rate downlink: 28 Mbit/s

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Project

Overview

A. Dreher, DLR

Conclusion

SANTANA phase 1• Verification of basic system functionality

SANTANA phase 2• Improved architecture and RF-to-antenna interconnect• New Rx antenna element design• Innovative LTCC Tx antenna multilayer design including

calibration network• Incorporation of new manufacturing technologies• Compatibility with industrial processes• Field tests to verify mobile data links

Smart Antenna Terminal for Broadband Mobile Satellite ...

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