20 GHz Active Aperture for Communication Satellites

Abstract

The trend to higher frequencies for satellite to earth communications, together with requirements for increased reliability and graceful degradation, has resulted in the need for a 20 GHz active aperture transmitting array. In this paper the preliminary design of such an array is discussed. The array is designed for 35 dB of gain and -30 dB sidelobes. Quantized amplitude tapering, gain distribution, phase shifter quantization, prime power requirements, array and element trade-offs are discussed. The impact of multiple beam operation for frequency reuse is addressed.