ELECTRONICALLY STEERABLE LOW DRAG AERONAUTICAL ANTENNA (ARTES 5.1 7C.031) EXPRO+

Description

Objective: To study and design a transmit/receive Ka-band Satellite User Terminal antenna for airplanes with completely electronic scanning capabilities. The feasibility of the antenna shall be proven through the design, manufacture and test of a representative breadboard.
Targeted improvements: A reduction of 30% in the thickness with respect to existing solutions with comparable performance; a reduction of (20-30)% in the number of radiators.
Description:
The market for providing connectivity to airline passengers is becoming increasingly competitive. Players like Viasat, Panasonic, Inmarsat, Row 44 are all either offering, or planning to offer, satellite based solutions to airlines. The near term antenna solutions for all of these systems are low profile, fully mechanically steered antennas with good elevation coverage. However, following the trend seen in the aeronautical L-band market, there will be a market for low profile, electronically scanned antennas. While the elevation coverage is not as good as their mechanically scanned counterparts, these antennas offer reduced drag, which translates into reduced operating expenses for airlines.
The interest in fully electronically scanned antennas is demonstrated by large investments for a phased array concept.
This activity will investigate different antenna configuration based on a phased array (flat or curved, possibly sparse) isolated or magnified by one or two reflectors or by a dome. Sparse arrays with optimized element positions and dimensions may help in order to maintain to limit the number of radiators still guarantying high aperture efficiency and sufficient scanning capabilities.
The activity is divided in four parts.
1) consolidation of requirements and preliminary trade-off between several configurations. As a minimum, the following configurations shall be investigated:
a) a direct radiating array, flat or curved, possibly sparse,
b) an array magnified by a single or a double reflector,
c) an array magnified by a dome.
2) Identification of the most promising concept; preliminary and detailed design;
3) Comparison, in terms of cost, complexity, RF performance, with existing antennas based on electronic, hybrid and completely mechanical scanning capabilities;
4) design, manufacturing and test of a limited breadboard.

Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information pleasego to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and R&D entities in ESA programmes".

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