ADVANCED 14/12 AND 30/20 GHz MULTIPLE BEAM ANTENNA TECHNOLOGY FOR COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES

Abstract

This paper discusses recent TRW advances in communications satellite antenna technologies for the 14/12 and 30/20 GHz bands. The 14/12 GHz antenna system provides 15 or more high gain, low sidelobe spot beams for contiguous coverage of the CONUS for point-to-point communications, or four contoured time zone beams for direct broadcast service. A 2-meter offset reflector has been built and tested to demonstrate the frequency reuse and beam isolation capabilities of the antenna. The 30/20 GHz antenna system provides 10 to 20 fixed beams for large volume traffic trunking service and six independently scanned beams for customer-premise-service within the CONUS. A proofof- concept model antenna for proving the technology feasibility is currently under development.