Two-Beam Transmit Satellite Antenna for Limited Field-of-View (FOV)

The objective of this Phase II SBIR effort is to develop and demonstrate a low cost, lightweight, two independent simultaneous transmit beam antenna for use in SATCOM systems like the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) downlink. The current MILSATCOM system supports one downlink antenna beam in the frequency band 20.2-21.2 GHz. The goal of TSAT is to transform communications so that every warfighter in the field has rapid access to information for decision-making purposes. In order to achieve increased capability in the near future, the MILSATCOM capacity must be increased through the use of multi-band, multi-beam satellite antennas. The primary objective of this effort is to develop and demonstrate a simultaneous and completely independent two-beam transmit antenna that has the capability to support MILSATCOM down link. Under this Phase II effort AOE proposes demonstration of several key pieces of hardware associated with the antenna architecture developed under the Phase I effort and then to include measured results from the hardware in an overall system-level performance evaluation. The key pieces of hardware to be demonstrated under the Phase II effort include a high efficiency power amplifier, key COTS components of the Tx module, and the antenna radiating aperture. BENEFIT: The results of the research will have far-reaching applications including both commercial and military satellite communication operations. In addition to TSAT, SATCOM systems are in general evolving toward improved coverage, broader bandwidth, higher data throughput systems that will need wide-band, multi-beam antennas like those proposed here. Additional areas where this technology may be employed are in airborne and ground communication terminals that require simultaneous contact with multiple satellites.