Modular concept for satcom terminal antennas

This paper describes a new modular concept for antennas for mobile satellite communications in Ka band. The antenna concept is based on an active planar array, which is subdivided into small subarrays. The antenna main beam can be steered by using a combined mechanical and electronical steering approach. The modular concept of both the aperture design as well as the beam steering allows easy tailoring of the antenna to the specific requirements of particular mobile applications like cars, trains, planes or ships.