Modelling and simulation of phased array antenna for LEO satellite tracking

Abstract

Nowadays achievements on mobile satellite systems (MSS) communication give a great concern for research in global wireless communication fields. The developments of several Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems have promised worldwide connectivity with low delay real-time voice communications. Since the LEO satellite systems revolving around the Earth overlay mobile terminals (MT) or Earth stations over several minutes only, a sophisticated LEO satellite tracking must be introduced. Phased array antenna is seen to be the most promising solution. Although phased array antenna has been widely use for mobile cellular communication systems with advantages of its electronically beam steering, it is still not truly used in integrate with LEO MSS. In this paper, the mathematical model of phased array antenna is introduced for LEO satellite tracking purpose. Furthermore, the simulation of beam forming using phased array antenna is explored to obtain multiple and also steerable beams for tracking the satellite smoothly. Finally, a integration of phased array antenna in MT is proposed for future global wireless communication systems.