Optimizing a Formation-of-Arrays (FoA) Satellite Antenna System for Very High-Throughput Communications

Formation of arrays (FoA) distributed antenna technology has recently been proposed to provide 5G-like mobile satellites services in the context of the integration of nonterrestrial with terrestrial networks—the overall system goal being a sufficiently high throughput in terms of bit rate per unit area on the ground. This large distributed array configuration (resulting from the formation of many satellites each carrying its own small antenna) must be carefully engineered to provide the desired benefits. In this article, we tackle some fundamental issues related to FoA design, namely, frequency selectivity, power generation, and optimal formation configuration. Concerning frequency selectivity, we evaluate the intrinsic FoA frequency response assuming a wideband signal, and suggest how to mitigate possible impairments from a communication system perspective. Regarding power generation, we show how to decouple the functions of antenna and solar arrays to come to a power-efficient satellite configuration and design. Finally, in terms of formation optimization, we investigate a formation thinning approach with random placement of satellites on a grid, leading to a significant reduction of secondary beams in the emission of the FoA as well as fully satisfying the constraints placed by optimum power generation.