AESA Antennas for Ka band Satellite Communication

Transcription

1 AESA Antennas for Ka band Satellite Communication 1. Introduction 2. MELCO s antenna for SATCOM On The Move 3. MELCO s product of phased array 4. MELCO s Ka-band AESA on the Airborne 5. Conclusions Oct 16 th, 2018 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 1

2 1. Introduction (1) Mitsubishi Electric corporation manufactures various types of satellite communication antennas on the move in this decade. (2) Firstly, we will show you MELCO s antenna heritage for satellite communication on the move by using examples of airborne satellite communication system and Helicopter of that. (3) Secondly, we will show Melco s production results of phased array antenna. (4) Lastly, we will introduce MELCO s Ka-band AESA development progress by using the results of prototype Ka-band AESA. 2

3 2. MELCO s antenna for SATCOM On The Move ~ ~ Analog Digital TCP/IP Airborne Land Mobile 78 Base Station with Offset Cassegrain 63 Antenna Base Station with Cassegrain Antenna Base Station for SNG Maritime Vehicle mount SNG Helicopter Sat-COM System Nowadays Satellite Phone Broadcasting Mobility Provision for Disaster Satellite Phone 3

4 Connection By Boeing (CBB) 2. MELCO s antenna for SATCOM On The Move We first developed and started production of Ku-band airborne antenna subsystem for satellite communication on commercial airplane in 2004, giving Broadband internet access to passengers on airplane in flight, being equal to that on ground. We delivered 300 units during 2004 to of them were installed to airplanes before the service company CBB terminated their service in Antenna Unit Outside Satellite Polarization Control Unit, etc Inside Antenna subsystem Commercial Airplane Service coverage (source: Boeing) 4

5 2. MELCO s antenna for SATCOM On The Move Technology of SATCOM Antenna on the Airborne Elliptical Reflector (Ku band) Reflector for NiCT(Ka band) Elliptical Reflector for NiCT(Ka band) Developing model Ka-band AESA Connection By Boeing (CBB) Technology of Phased Array Phased Array for SATCOM Phased Array for Wireless Power Transmission 5

6 2. MELCO s antenna for SATCOM On The Move Helicopter Satellite Communication System (HSA40) We first developed Ku-band helicopter satellite communication system for video transmission directly from helicopter to the ground station by using satellite relay. We kept developing better and first released this production named Heli Sat in We keep delivering this system until now. Voice Operation Image Outdoor equipment Video Indoor equipment HSA40 equipment Ground station Accidents/Disasters Ground network distributes Image and Information from helicopter to all aria. 6 6

7 3. MELCO s Product of Phased Array Phased Array Antenna installed on the Airborne S-band top mount PAA having satisfactory aerodynamics thanks to its lowering posture. Application : Japanese domestic satellite telephone system utilizing N-STAR Feature : Tx : Passive PAA Rx : Active PAA This PAA is adopted as the first practical use in commercial satcom in Japan Tx PAA Rx PAA Freq.[GHz] Coverage Item Characteristics Tx Rx Azimuth Elevation 360 deg deg. Number of elements 32 Polarization Major Characteristics Circular EIRP[dBW] 13.0 G/T[dB/K] Quadri-filar helical antenna elements H. Sato., Heritage of Mitsubishi's phased array antennas development for mobile satellite communications, th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation 7

8 3. MELCO s Product of Phased Array Antenna unit(au) is consists of Rx PAA,Tx PAA and beam steering unit(bsu) Antenna tracking : The desired beam direction is calculated by Antenna Control Unit(ACU) using position/azimuth information from inertial reference system(irs) Required phase is set in the phase shifter in each PAA via BSU. 8

9 3. MELCO s Product of Phased Array Phased Array on the Helicopter Blade of the helicopter Receiving Waveform Awaiting solutions : Communication interruption caused by the rotating blades of the helicopter Solution : To avoid the interruption, the transmit signal is sent only during the interval between the rotating blades by synchronizing between signal transmission period and the blade rotation. *1 National Institute of Information and Communications Technology 9

10 3. MELCO s Product of Phased Array Freq.[GHz] Coverage Item Characteristics Tx Rx Azimuth Elevation Number of ANT elements Polarization 360 deg deg. RX:624, TX:536 Linear EIRP[dBW] 13.0 Transmission rate [Mbps] 1.5 G/T [db/k] Size(L x W xh) [mm] Major Characteristics 600 x 500 x200 Weight [kg] 35 Mounted APAA Uncovered photo Considering the installation on the helicopter, miniaturized configuration of PAA was realized by the technology of high density of microwave devices. F. Fujino., Development of Helicopter Satellite Communication System for the Disaster Information Transmission, IEICE TRANS. COMMUN.,Vol.J91-B No.12 pp

11 3. MELCO s Product of Phased Array Antenna element with parasitic elements for broadband Multi-layered beam forming network using buildup substrates Surface mounted RF module using MMIC s and multi-layered ceramic(ltcc) package with embedded passive circuit Heat radiation using heat pipes cooled by the wind of the rotating blades and the flight of the helicopter H. Sato., Heritage of Mitsubishi's phased array antennas development for mobile satellite communications, th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation 11

12 3. MELCO s Product of Phased Array Phased Array Antenna for wireless power transmission [1] Joint project between JAXA, Japan Space Systems and MELCO Phased Array for WPT Outfield Test - High efficient microwave output(gan HPA) - High accuracy microwave beam control(retro-directive system) - Outdoor microwave power transmission test was succeeded. [1] T.Takahashi, et al., Phased Array System for High Efficiency and High Accuracy Microwave Power Transmission, International symposium on phased array system and technologies,

13 4. MELCO s Ka-band AESA on the Airborne 4.1 Why AESA? 4.2 Technical Issues about Satcom AESA 4.3 Development Schedule 4.4 MELCO s AESA Concept 4.5 Design(Antenna, PCB and RF-IC) 4.6 TX AESA Prototype 4.7 Summary 13

14 4.1 Why AESA? Traditional SATCOM Antenna on the Move - Elliptical Reflector and Horn Array - High Profile due to mechanical beam scanning structure - G/T and EIRP limitation due to profile New ERA of SATCOM Antenna AESA - Increasing requirement to antenna - Broadband communication, Lower sidelobe level, Fast handover Multiple beams and Aperture Size Scalability - Lower radome drag for Improvement of fuel efficiency - Recent Advance in Semiconductor Process - Progress in EM simulator *AESA: Active Electronically Scanned Array 14

15 4.1 Why AESA? Mechanically Scanned Array Mechanically Scanned Reflector Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Beam Scan Mechanical Scan Mechanical Scan Electronic Scan Antenna Horn Antenna Array Reflector Antenna Patch Antenna Array Thickness (w/o radome) - 20cm cm ++ 3cm Radiation Pattern Low Sidelobe Level G/T and EIRP at High EL angle G/T and EIRP at Low EL angle + Mechanical Scan + Mechanical Scan - Electrical Scan Power Consumption Cost Scan Speed Aperture Scalability

16 4.2 Technical Issues about Satcom AESA - EIRP and G/T over low EL angle - Power Consumption - High Density Assembly - Operation Bandwidth - Instantaneous Bandwidth - Size - Weight - Temperature, Vibration - Antenna(Element, Array) - PCB Layout Design - RF-IC - Package - Heat Transfer - Radome - Environmental resistance design for airborne equipment FY17 Development 16

17 4.3 Development Schedule Development Antenna dev. FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 Sys. Arc. and Elements R&D Basic system verification Sub-array partial dev. Full system verification Sub-system Test Production Manufacture 17

18 4.4 MELCO s AESA Concept 1. Very Low Profile - Radiation, beam control, amplifier and combiner/divider on PCB 2. High performance - Wideband : RX GHz, TX GHz - Switchable polarization and XPD : RHCP/LHCP, XPD>20dB - Wide beam scanning capability : 0 to 80 degrees from zenith 3. Scalability of Aperture Size - Variable aperture size depending on customer s requirement - Multi Sub-Array Module Configuration 18

19 4.4 MELCO s AESA Concept RX-AESA TX-AESA Target TX Frequency [GHz] RX Frequency [GHz] RX instantaneous BW [MHz] Over 500 TX instantaneous BW [MHz] Over 250 G/T [db/k] EIRP [dbw] Inside Aircraft Outside Aircraft TX XPD [db] > 20 RX XPD [db] > 20 EL angle range [deg] 10 to 90 Aircraft 機体電源 AC Power PSU ACU ANTE NNA PSU MODEM Power Control System block diagram IF REF 19

20 4.4 MELCO s AESA Concept TX Sub-Array Module Item Target Frequency 27.5 to 31.0 GHz Size 240 mm x 300 mm Thickness(w/ RF-IC) 5.4 mm Sub-Array Module Num. of ANT Ele./RF-IC EIRP@60 deg. Scan from zenith Excitation Area (RF-IC is mounted) Example of Full Array Item Target(Example) Frequency 27.5 to 31.0 GHz Size 480 mm x 650 mm Thickness(w/ RF-IC) < 30 mm Num. of ANT Ele./RF-IC EIRP@60 deg. Scan from zenith XPD Example of Full Array 20

21 4.4 MELCO s AESA Concept RX Sub-Array Module Item Frequency Size Thickness(w/ RF-IC) Num. of ANT Ele./RF-IC Antenna deg. Scan from zenith XPD Sub-Array Module Target 17.7 to 21.2 GHz 135 mm x 165 mm 5.4 mm Example of Full Array 21

22 4.5 Design (Antenna) Requirement for Antenna Element in SATCOM AESA - Wide Frequency Bandwidth (Relative BW is about 18%) - Wide Beam Scanning Capability (0 to 80 degrees from zenith) - High Radiation Efficiency and High XPD Antenna Element of Array Profile --- h=30 Reflector Horn Patch Our Design -- h=15 ++ h=0.15 Bandwidth Radiation Efficiency XPD in Low EL Angle h=0.2 Array/Feed Structure Manufacturability and Cost Evaluation NG NG NG OK 22

23 4.5 Design (Antenna) Array Design (2) Parasitic Element Ground (1) Air Gap Antenna Element (3) Cavity Structure Pow. & Cont. Line Layer Ground RF Feed Line To RF-IC (1) Air gap -> High Radiation Efficiency and XPD (2) Parasitic Element -> Wide bandwidth (3.5GHz BW) (3) Cavity Structure -> Wide beam scanning capability (0 to 80 deg. Scan) - We have overcome the disadvantage of patch array by new ideas, EM design and manufacturing technique. 23

24 4.5 Design (PCB) Requirement in SATCOM AESA RF-IC Antenna Element - Wide beam scanning capability - Two port feed to antenna element - ANT, RF, power and control lines - Narrow Space between RF-IC(about 11mm) ANT Elements, 672 ANT ports and 84 RF-IC on iphone7. iphone7 vs. TX-AESA iphone7 24

25 About 20mm 4.5 Design (PCB) RF-IC Antenna Element Cont Power(Digital) Power(Analog) RF RF-IC - Multi Layered PCB - Detail RF Design for lower loss - High density layout(rf, pow and cont) 25

26 4.5 Design (RF-IC) Requirement in SATCOM AESA (1) AESA Requirement - TX requirement : High OP1dB and high efficiency - RX requirement : Low noise figure - Low Power Consumption - Low cost : AESA has thousands of RF-ICs - Digital control : High accuracy and precise control of phase shifter and VGA (2) Layout Requirement - Small size - WLCSP(Wafer Level Chip Scale Package) 26

27 Aspects SiGe Si-CMOS GaAs GaN Transition Frequency Output Power Efficiency Noise Level Integration Process 4.5 Design (RF-IC) Process Technology Trade off + Analog and Digital ++ Bi-CMOS, HBT Cost + + Analog and Digital + CMOS + (in the near future) - - Only Analog - HEMT, HBT(NPN) - - Only Analog - HEMT, HBT(NPN) SiGe or Si-CMOS process will be a best selection as SATCOM AESA application. We are now developing SiGe RF-ICs. - GaN/GaAs must be used with another process because of digital control. -> Due to the PCB layout design and cost, GaN/GaAs is NOT appropriate. 27

28 4.6 TX AESA Prototype Purpose: Basic Design(Antenna, RF and PCB) RF evaluation(scan Angle, EIRP and XPD) Front End IC Mother Board(RF-IC) Antenna Elements Power Line Front View Back View 28

29 4.6 TX AESA Prototype Specification Cont RF-IC Power(Digital) Power(Analog) RF VGA P/S HPA ANT Item Specification Frequency [GHz] Thickness [mm] 4.8 (w/ RF-IC) Beam Scan Angle [deg.] 0 to 80 from zenith Number of ANT/RF-IC 16/4 Gain Control [bit] 5 Phase Control [bit] 5 XPD > 20 Block Diagram 29

30 4.6 TX AESA Prototype (a-1) 29.75GHz, LHCP (a-2) 29.75G Hz, RHCP (b) 27.75GHz, LHCP (c) 30.75G Hz, LHCP Radiation Pattern in yz Plane 30

31 4.6 TX AESA Prototype (a) 30.0GHz, LHCP Radiation Pattern(Measured data and Simulation) (b) 30.0GHz, RHCP (a) 27.75GHz, LHCP (b) 29.75GHz, LHCP (c) 30.75GHz, LHCP XPD in yz Plane - Measured data agrees well with simulation data - Over 22dB XPD was obtained(27.5 to 30.0GHz) 31

32 4.7 Summary Ka-band AESA - AESA has many advantage against traditional SATCOM antenna. - AESA system is undeveloped region and there are many issues(antenna, RF-IC, PCB ) MELCO s Ka-band AESA - MELCO will shift from traditional antenna to AESA - Ka-band AESA Project is ongoing with NICT. - TX prototype in FY2017 and RX prototype in FY Commercial product in 2022 Key for the realization of Ka-band AESA - Comparable cost an power consumption - Basic design of antenna, RF-IC and PCB - AESA design considering installation and radome. 32

33 5. Conclusions (1) We showed the several types of satellite communication antennas on the move manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric in this decade. (2) Firstly, we introduced our airborne satellite communication system and helicopter of that. And we has developed a new satellite communication antenna by combining the technologies of satellite communication antenna on the move and phased array antenna. (3) Secondly, we introduced the production results of phased array antenna on the move. These results mean that MELCO has the capability of product like MELCO s Ka-band AESA antenna. (4) Lastly, we introduced the development progress of MELCO s AESA antenna. In 2017, we tried a prototype TX-AESA, and confirmed the measurement results as designed. 33

34 Acknowledgements This study is conducted under the commissioned research of the Research and development on narrow band frequency technology using Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna that can be installed on small aircraft by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. And thanks for cooperation of NICT on this research and development.