Self-Steering Arrays

Abstract

Self-steering arrays using complete receiver-transmitter-signal processing systems to direct the beam of an antenna automatically have been developed. These systems offer an alternative to mechanically gimballed systems for satellite communication applications. The operation of such systems using either a pilot signal or a phased lock loop technique for self-steering is described. Also described is an engineering model built for satellite-to-earth communications which incorporates these techniques. Additionally, other systems now in breadboard configurations are mentioned briefly. A summary of power requirements for a projected 25-module system has been included to indicate the feasibility of larger systems. Test results for the engineering model have proved satisfactory, and show that these systems can definitely be valuable in applications similar to the tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRSS) described here.