MELASAT · Low-Cost Metasurface Leaky-Wave Antenna for Mobile Satellite Communications
„Хоризонт 2020“ — Действия „Мария Склодовска-Кюри“
- Период
- 2016-05-03 → 2018-08-22
- Финансиране от ЕС
- 163 872 €
- Участници
- 2
- Схема
- MSCA-IF
Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.
Накратко на български
Нов тип евтини плоски антени за мобилна сателитна комуникация се разработват като алтернатива на големите параболични чинии. Те могат да осигурят широколендов интернет в изолирани райони или по време на пътуване, без да изискват скъпа инфраструктура на земята.
Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.
Резултати накратко
Low-Cost Metasurface Leaky-Wave Antenna for Mobile Satellite Communications
Nowadays, having an inexpensive broadband internet connection no matter where you are is an increasing social demand. In order to have internet access independently on the user’s location, satellite communication is the best solution, since it does not rely on available infrastructure. In this way, by means of a terminal that can communicate continuously with a satellite, users could benefit from a fast data connection anywhere in the world, even when traveling in an airplane, a ship or train. Additionally, a low-cost technology for broadband satellite connectivity could be a viable solution to provide poor countries and isolated areas with broadband internet without strong investments. Commercial solutions for ground terminals are based on parabolic reflector antennas with mechanical steering. Although they are cost-effective solutions, they require frequent maintenance and are significantly bulky. For low-profile antennas, phased arrays that perform electronic steering can be an appealing alternative, since they can be printed in planar technology and are fast changing the pointing angle. However, they have a corporative feeding network and, additionally, in order to get high gain, the array must contain a significant number of elements and phase shifters, thus leading to expensive and complex structures. The project investigates a novel low-cost antenna solution for broadband satellite connectivity, so that inexpensive broadband internet connection can be provided without need of deployed infrastructure. With such a technology, the satellite industry could provide enhanced connectivity that would open vast new markets at an unprecedented scale. More specifically, the project goal is the development of an antenna technology that has the advantages of printed technology (light weight and low profile) but reduces costs and complexity of phased arrays. This technology entails a real challenge and an important market niche that this project is trying to cover. As solution, we propose the combined use of Huygens' metasurfaces with leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) to meet the challenging requirements for broadband mobile satellite communications (broadband beam steering with high gain) at lower costs and complexity than the state-of-the-art solutions. The proposal consists specifically of a parallel-plate waveguide with the top plate being a bianisotropic Huygens' metasurface that allows the desired radiated field to be obtained so that the needed gain and scan angle range are accomplished.
Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз
Цел на проекта
With the increasing demand of broadband connectivity, satellite communications are receiving significant attention, since the requirement for infrastructure in Earth is minimum. However, broadband low-latency satellite connectivity entails several challenges from the point of view of radiofrequency engineering: antennas with high gain, beam steering capabilities and broad bandwidth are required. Current solutions are either parabolic dishes with mechanical steering, which are bulky and require maintenance, or phased- arrays with electronic steering, which are low-profile but significantly expensive. Therefore, a reconfigurable low-cost high-gain antenna with no moving parts and small size is an important market niche and can revolutionize satellite communications. In this way, the current limitations of connectivity to mobile users, such as in maritime or aviation, or in isolated or poor areas, where expensive infrastructure cannot be deployed, can be overcome.The project proposes a novel low-profile and low-cost solution for broadband satellite communications based on the fusion of two fields: metamaterials and leaky-wave antennas. By combining such an inexpensive antenna with a metasurface, the antenna characteristics can be enhanced to meet the challenging requirements of satellite services at a very low cost and size. The researcher will have the opportunity to learn this cutting-edge technology from the pioneer group in this kind of solutions at University of Toronto,and import this knowledge into Europe to contribute to developing the satellite communication industry and open new markets. Moreover, the knowledge of the group at the University of Malaga (including the researcher) about both broadband leaky-wave antennas and active components will be crucial to develop such a broadband solution, which must implement electronic reconfigurability.
Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).
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Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз