Distributed Satellite Communications (SATCOM) On-the-Move (OTM) Aperture

Toyon Research Corporation proposes a multiple-aperture coherently combined distributed-aperture-system prototype at X-band. This multi-aperture system will use our MIMO signal combining technology, our Closed-Loop Coherent Subarray Phase Tracker design, and our Reconfigurable X-band Array designed during Phase I. Toyon’s unique reconfigurable antenna technology allows the beam from each aperture to be steered down to 70-degrees off boresight, a significant improvement over traditional flat panel arrays. The apertures (subarrays) will be separated by three to six feet and mounted onto a moving platform in order to emulate On-the-Move (OTM) operation and then measurements of the system gain and phase tracking will take place in our antenna chamber. The primary goal for the Phase II effort is the successful demonstration of a distributed-aperture system that can achieve coherent RF signal combining of electrically reconfigurable subarrays and maintain the satellite within the 1-dB beamwidth of the main beam—even during simulated vehicle motion. The Closed-Loop Coherent Subarray Phase Tracker will serve to maintain the satellite within the narrow central gain lobe formed from the interference pattern of the multiple distributed apertures.