Achieving a functional antenna for mobile satellite communications terminals in Ka-band is probably one of the most challenging tasks in current antenna engineering, particularly bearing in mind they need to be low profile and “affordable.” This quest is involving many companies in the field. Our contribution represents one of such efforts. The antenna is based on a slotted waveguide array technology to maximize efficiency and it features a number of novel solutions, going from its robust polarization switching mechanism, to the use of a thin wideband polarizer and the utilization of groove gap waveguides. This communication reports the measured data of a fully functional prototype to validate its novel contributions.

This paper describes the main features of TX and RX antenna panels for low cost Ka-band SOTM (SATCOM on-the-move) terminal. In addition, enhanced DVB-S2 waveform modem developed by Thales Alenia Space is also described. This modem has led to significant cost reduction. The terminal will be compliant with all capacities associated with communication on-the-move supplying higher quality, better performance and faster speed services than the current available solutions in Ku-band.

This paper describes the main features of a multilayer antenna panel for a low cost Ka-band Array Antenna for on-the-move applications. The LOCOMO satcom terminal is based on a dual-polarized low-profile antenna with trasmit/receive and RHCP/LHCP switching capability.

This document describes a new concept of a mobile Ka band antenna for SATCOM on-the-move applications. Unlike most antennas in this field, this antenna exhibits polarization switching capabilities, it is low profile and shows a highly efficient performace thanks to the use of rectangular waveguides for the distribution network.

This paper describes the main features of a low cost and compact Ka-band satcom terminal being developed within the ESA-project LOCOMO. The terminal will be compliant with all capacities associated with communication on the move supplying higher quality, better performance and faster speed services than the current available solutions in Ku band. The terminal will be based on a dual polarized low profile Ka-band antenna with TX and RX capabilities.

This document describes a new concept of a mobile Ka band antenna for satellite communications. The antenna exhibits low profile and can cope with the stringent specification of polarization switching required in the handover from cell to cell. Transmit performance is discussed in detail and compared with an equivalent reflector antenna.