Integrated modular phased-array system technology for next generation satellite communication

卫星系统已经将信息网络的边界扩展到最偏远的地方(远离城市和高速公路、海洋中央和太空深处)，远远超出了任何其他通信系统的覆盖范围。此外，许多新兴应用，如飞行中的飞机宽带通信(机舱内信息娱乐服务)、汽车、公交车/救护车，都需要与运动中的卫星通信，目前称为移动卫星(SOTM)。根据MarketSandMarkets的预测，移动卫星市场将从2015年的34.5亿美元增长到2019年底的56亿美元，年复合增长率为10.2%。最先进的高性能SOTM系统使用机械旋转天线或机械旋转结构与电子扫描系统的组合。这样的系统通常体积大、外形高，不能安装在空气动力学物体上，跟踪速度太慢。由于体积/重量大、速度慢，这些系统无法渗透到更大的市场领域，如小型汽车和中小型飞机。拟议的研究中解决的主要挑战是开发一个低成本、低调、高度模块化的具有电子波束控制能力(没有机械移动部件)的卫星天线技术平台，为广泛的移动用户提供随时随地的宽带和可靠的通信。这项拟议的技术是基于滑铁卢大学智能天线和无线电系统中心(CIARS)正在研究的一种新的相移概念，一旦开发出来，还将为许多新兴的卫星网络提供最具成本效益的解决方案，例如旨在连接整个世界的OneWeb项目。

Satellite systems have extended the boundaries of information networking to the most remote places (far from cities and highways, in the middle of the ocean, and deep in space) far beyond the reach of any other communication systems. In addition, many emerging applications such as broadband communication in the aircraft during flight (in-cabin infotainment services), car, buses/ambulances, require communicating with satellite in motion currently referred to as SOTM (Satellite-On-The-Move or SOTM). According to MarketsAndMarkets forecast the mobile satellite market is growing from $3.45 billion (2015) to more than $5.6billion by the end of 2019, at an annual compound rate of 10.2%. The state-of-the-art high performance SOTM systems use mechanically rotating antennas or a combination of mechanical rotating structures with electronic scanning systems. Such systems are often bulky and high profile, cannot be mounted on aerodynamic bodies, and too slow in tracking. Due to large dimensions/weight and low speed, these systems cannot penetrate much larger market sectors of smaller cars and small-to-medium size aircrafts.The main challenge addressed in the proposed research is to develop a low-cost, low-profile, and highly modular satellite antenna technology platform with electronic beam-steering capability (no mechanically moving parts), which will provide a wide range of mobile users with broadband and reliable communication everywhere and anytime. The proposed technology is based on a new phase-shifting concept under investigation at the University of Waterloo's Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS), and once developed will also offer the most cost-effective solution to many emerging satellite networks, like OneWeb project, which are aimed at connecting the entire world.