Airborne reception of data and direct broadcast TV using a phased array antenna

The rapid growth of ground based broadband services and the advent of high power Ku band broadcast satellites compatible with relatively small aperture terminals have provided the incentives and the channels for providing broadband services to highly mobile users such as aircraft. There are a number of antenna system options that provide a capability for tracking a satellite broadcast from a moving platform. This paper describes one of these options, the Boeing commercial Ku band receive phased array antenna system. This antenna system is a proven, production system. It is currently being used to provide worldwide broadband data and commercial satellite television services for a variety of business and military aircraft customers.