Phase Response Calibration of a Distributed Antenna Array for Satellite Acquisition

A distributed antenna array system, named Spanish acronym for fast acquisition of satellites system (SARAS), has been designed as an acquisition aid to parabolic telemetry, tracking, and command antennas when tracking satellites in launch and early orbit phase or during critical maneuvers. The system relies on digital signal processing, based on the array changing phase response to incoming signals as a function of their direction of arrival. One critical aspect for proper performance of the system is to establish a reliable model of this phase response, termed the array manifold, prior to and during satellite acquisition, through novel calibration techniques that are the focus of this letter.