A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite Communications
This article presents a scalable Ka-band phased array transmitter designed for the upload channel of terrestrial mobile transceivers in satellite communications (SATCOM, 27.5–30.0 GHz). The transmitter consists of a 16-channel active phased array system with digitally switchable circular...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Amelia Ramos Raul Arruela Bernardo Lopes Tiago Varum Ricardo Correia Joao N. Matos |
| author_facet | Amelia Ramos Raul Arruela Bernardo Lopes Tiago Varum Ricardo Correia Joao N. Matos |
| author_sort | Amelia Ramos |
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| description | This article presents a scalable Ka-band phased array transmitter designed for the upload channel of terrestrial mobile transceivers in satellite communications (SATCOM, 27.5–30.0 GHz). The transmitter consists of a 16-channel active phased array system with digitally switchable circular polarization, enabling seamless alternation between right-hand (RHCP) and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP). A linearly polarized patch antenna is utilized, achieving circular polarization through the sequential rotation technique. By integrating the radiating element within a modular multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and employing a superheterodyne architecture, the system supports full digital beamforming in a compact, scalable design. The array achieves a scan range of ±50° with a scan loss of approximately 2 dB in both principal planes (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\varphi = 0^{\circ }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\varphi = 90^{\circ }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and maintains a roll-off factor <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${cos}^{1.03}(\theta)$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The operational bandwidth of 15.4% (26.99 - 31.49 GHz) is accompanied by an axial ratio with great polarization purity across the scanning range. These features, combined with a thermal management strategy, highlight the system’s innovation as a high-performance, adaptable solution for next-generation SATCOM applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-148cf22dfce549d6bb9b88c28f3bf58b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2169-3536 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-148cf22dfce549d6bb9b88c28f3bf58b2025-08-20T03:40:11ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-011313551513552610.1109/ACCESS.2025.359395411104255A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite CommunicationsAmelia Ramos0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4345-4702Raul Arruela1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1261-8185Bernardo Lopes2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1658-3429Tiago Varum3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4766-9110Ricardo Correia4Joao N. Matos5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7907-1028Instituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, PortugalInstituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, PortugalInstituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, PortugalInstituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, PortugalSinuta S.A., Estarreja, PortugalInstituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, PortugalThis article presents a scalable Ka-band phased array transmitter designed for the upload channel of terrestrial mobile transceivers in satellite communications (SATCOM, 27.5–30.0 GHz). The transmitter consists of a 16-channel active phased array system with digitally switchable circular polarization, enabling seamless alternation between right-hand (RHCP) and left-hand circular polarization (LHCP). A linearly polarized patch antenna is utilized, achieving circular polarization through the sequential rotation technique. By integrating the radiating element within a modular multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and employing a superheterodyne architecture, the system supports full digital beamforming in a compact, scalable design. The array achieves a scan range of ±50° with a scan loss of approximately 2 dB in both principal planes (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\varphi = 0^{\circ }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\varphi = 90^{\circ }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and maintains a roll-off factor <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${cos}^{1.03}(\theta)$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The operational bandwidth of 15.4% (26.99 - 31.49 GHz) is accompanied by an axial ratio with great polarization purity across the scanning range. These features, combined with a thermal management strategy, highlight the system’s innovation as a high-performance, adaptable solution for next-generation SATCOM applications.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11104255/Phased-arrayLEO communicationssatellite communicationsKa-bandbeamforming |
| spellingShingle | Amelia Ramos Raul Arruela Bernardo Lopes Tiago Varum Ricardo Correia Joao N. Matos A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite Communications IEEE Access Phased-array LEO communications satellite communications Ka-band beamforming |
| title | A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite Communications |
| title_full | A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite Communications |
| title_fullStr | A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite Communications |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite Communications |
| title_short | A Ka-Band Modular Dual Switchable Circularly Polarized Phased Array Transmitter for LEO Satellite Communications |
| title_sort | ka band modular dual switchable circularly polarized phased array transmitter for leo satellite communications |
| topic | Phased-array LEO communications satellite communications Ka-band beamforming |
| url | https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11104255/ |
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