2014 International Conference on Engineering and Telecommunication
Antennas for Satcom-on-the-Move. Review
Sergey Borisov
JSC “Radiophyzika”
Moscow, Russia
e-mail: borisovsergey89@mail.ru
Abstract— This article presents a survey on vehicular
antennas for on-the-move satellite communication. Main
technologies developed for this service are discussed.
Antennas designed by different research groups and
companies are considered.
Keywords – SATCOM, SOTM, mobile terminal, vehicular
antenna, sattelite tracking, reflector, phased array.
I. INTRODUCTION
A large number of mobile wideband satellite
communication (SATCOM) terminals were created in
recent years. Such terminals are able to operate in regions
with undeveloped infrastructure, distant from big cities,
but still in areas of satellites services. Large quantities of
terminals, proving SATCOM on-the-move (SOTM)
communication services are already designed by many
companies. Key element of a SOTM terminal is antenna,
which should have the following features [1]:
● A narrow beam to receive/transmit wideband
signals from/to the satellite;
● Satellite tracking capabilities for SOTM
operation;
● Low sidelobes meeting ITU Rec.;
● Low profile and streamline design;
● Small size and weight;
● Low power consumption;
● High reliability;
● Acceptable price.
In the past 1.5 decades, researches and designers
were dedicated to the search of rational technologies, able
to satisfy the sum of the mentioned requirements. Three
classes of SOTM antennas can be specified: antennas with
two-dimensional mechanical scanning – reflector antennas
and passive arrays); antennas with two-dimensional
electrical scanning – active phased arrays; and systems
with combined scanning, where the scanning is electrical
in the elevation plane and it is mechanical in the azimuth
plane – low profile phased arrays on rotary platforms.
Some modifications of the mentioned antennas are
available too.
II. ANTENNAS WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL MECHANICAL
SCANNING
A. Reflector antennas
Reflector antennas with mechanical beam
scanning provide high gain and acceptable side lobe level
with minimal price. An important advantage of such
978-1-4799-7012-4/14 $31.00 © 2014 IEEE
DOI 10.1109/EnT.2014.12
Alexander Shishlov
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
JSC “Radiophyzika”
Moscow, Russia
e-mail: Shishlov54@mail.ru
antennas is the possibility of uniting Tx and Rx antennas
as well as operating in multiple bands. The most
demanded type of reflector antennas are dual-reflector
antennas. Examples of such antennas are discussed below.
●Institute for Communications and Navigation
(Germany) and Alenia Spazio company (Italy) have
developed a symmetrical dual-reflector Ku-band antenna,
mounted on a train in 2003 [2] (Fig.1.a). The size of the
elongated main reflector is 105x45 cm, Gain - 37.5 dBi,
G/T = 11.5 dB/K, EIRP= 42.8 dBW.
● A number of vehicular antennas was designed
by ETRI (Republic of Korea) and JSC “APEX” (Russian
Federation). Mobile Ku/Ka-band antenna system was
designed in 2005. The antenna [3] consists of shaped dual-
reflector with a tri-band feed (Fig.1.b). The gain is 39.6
dBi in Ka-band and 29.3 in Ku-band.
An off-set scheme with partial blockage of the
reflector by subreflector which can provide a reasonable
height of the antenna and side lobe level of radiation
pattern (RP), satisfying ITU-R s. 465-5 recommendations,
has been chosen. Tracking channel is combined with Ku-
band TV-channel. Similar four-band mobile antenna to be
mounted on trains was designed in 2007.
● Teleinformatica e Sistemi company (Italy)
produces low-profile reflector antennas. In particular, a
dual-reflector off-set Ku-band antenna (Fig.2.a), and a Ka-
band antenna (Fig.2.b) were designed [4]. The latter uses
beam steering in the elevation plane and the scanning is
realized by rotation of the reflector and the subreflector
about the fixed feeder. Unfortunately, no electrical
performances are reported in [4].
a) b)
Fig.1. а) Dual-reflector Ku-band antenna for train
b) Dual-reflector Ku/Ka-band antenna for vehicles
3

a) b)
Fig.2. Antennas by Teleinformatica e Sistemi: a) Dual-
reflector off-set Ku-band antenna, b) Ka-band antenna
B. Planar arrays with mechanical beam control
These antennas have lower height with respect to
reflectors which is significant advantage.
● Antennas for Ku (Fig.3) Ka and W-bands, developed
by ThinKom Solutions [5], use 2D-scanning system, that
is based on mechanical rotations of the parts, composing
the antenna. The radiating element is a linear array of
radiating stubs.
● Conception of controlling a 30GHz beam by two
rotational phase shifting surfaces is presented in [6]. The
maximum measured gain was 26.5-27 dBi, corresponding
to 27-28% efficiency.
● “ERA Technology Co.” announced planar array
antennas with mechanical phase control for scanning in the
elevation plane [7], [8].
Main modifications of the antenna are described below.
“G1” is a one-band antenna with linear or circular
polarization (Fig.4.a). It is composed of waveguides; each
of them serves as a travelling-wave antenna. Waveguides
are fed from a common input and have slots in the wide
wall. The project is designed for Rx Ku-band.
“G2” is a dual-polarized antenna with any linear or
circular polarization (Fig.4.b). The system requires one
aperture for one band (Rx or Tx). The band is also 20%
wider.
“G3” is a dual-polarized dual-band antenna with
independent beam control for each band (Fig.4.c). This
antenna is capable of receiving and transmitting signals of
orthogonal linear polarizations simultaneously, using one
aperture.
III. ANTENNAS WITH COMBINED SCANNING
Antennas with combined electro-mechanical scanning
allow finding a compromise between the price of the
antenna and the speed of beam steering.
Fig.3. ThinKom Ku-band antenna
4
a) b)
c)
Fig. 4. ERA antennas: a) G1, b) G2, c) G3
A. Hybrid antennas
A number of hybrid antennas (HA), consisting of a
reflector and a small feed array with electrical beam
scanning in a limited range was designed by ETRI and JSC
“APEX”.
● HA for a communication system in Ka-band was
designed in 2003-2004 [9]. The HA has the shaped
reflector and the feeder is a linear phased array of 8
radiators (Fig.5.a). The shape of the reflector and the
feeder were optimized for performance in the required
sector. The electrical scanning sector is ±3º in the elevation
plane. Scanning in the azimuth plane is achieved by
mechanical rotation of the antenna. Antenna provides 35
dBi gain in 30.085 – 30.885 GHz frequency band. The size
of the antenna is 60x50x50cm.
● Dual reflector HA developed by ETRI and APEX in
2003-2004 is a Ka-band antenna, consisting of a parabolic
main reflector, a rotational flat subreflector and a planar
phased array as a feeder [10] (Fig.5.b). Two-dimensional
beam steering in ±2º around the basic angle of 45° in
elevation is obtained by means of the subreflector rotation
(rough beam pointing) and phase control of the feed array
consisting of 20 elements (fine beam pointing). The gain
of the antenna is not less than 45dBi and 43dBi in Ka/K-
band respectively. The level of the side lobes complies
a) b)
Fig.5. Hybrid antennas by ETRI and APEX: a) Ka-band
hybrid antenna b) Ka-band dual reflector hybrid antenna
with ITU-R s.465-5, the cross-polarization level is not
higher than 24dB. The diameter and the height of the
antenna is 70 cm.
B. Antenna arrays
Antenna arrays composed of phased linear subarrays
provide one-dimensional electrical beam scanning in the
elevation plane. Scanning in the azimuth plane is realized
by mechanical rotation of the antenna. Advantages of such
antennas are low profile and low number of phased
channels, equal to the number of the linear subarrays.
● Antenna of such type was designed by ETRI and JSC
“APEX” in 1997-1998 [11]. The antenna was intended for
reception TV-programs from satellite in Ku-band. The
antenna consists of active modules containing patch
subarrays, low-noise amplifiers, and pin-diode phase
shifters (Fig.6.a). Electrical beam steering 45º r15º in
elevation and r2.5º in azimuth is realized. the APAA
forms two beams: one serves for TV reception, the other
provides search and two-dimensional satellite tracking.
The antenna has G/T = 10 dB/K. Its height is 115 mm,
diameter - 750 mm. Antenna is installed on a mechanical
positioner providing azimuth beam pointing.
In further works, ETRI designed cost-effective Rx
antenna for direct satellite TV [12], as well as Ku-band
Tx/Rx antenna for Satcom [13].
● A low-profile antenna array for Ku-band [14]
(Fig.6.b) was designed by «Intelwaves Technology Ltd»
and the University of Waterloo. The antenna diameter is
830 mm, height is 50 mm. The scanning sector is 20º - 70º
in the elevation plane. Antenna gain is 31.8 dBi. The later
development if this design is presented in [15].
● Production of low-profile Ku-band antenna (Fig.7) was
organized by «ThinSat» company [16]. PG in the Tx band
is 45 dBW, while G/T for the Rx band is 8 dB/K. The size
of the antenna is 150x100x11 cm.
● Circularly-polarized antenna panel for low-profile
Ka-band satellite communication antenna terminal,
intended for mobile bi-directional emergency
communications was designed by Microwave Research
Laboratory of the Ilmenau University of Technology in
a) b)
Fig. 6. Antennas on rotary platforms: a) Ku-band antenna
by ETRI and APEX, b) Ku-band antenna by «Intelwaves
Technology Ltd» and the University of Waterloo
5
Fig.7. Low-profile Ku-band antenna by ThinSat
Germany [17]. Antenna panel (Fig.8) consists of interlaced
radiating apertures for two operating frequencies, double
layer partially-reflective surface and has high efficiency,
since it uses waveguides as low-loss feeder lines.
The measurements showed 19.1 dBi gain along the
main beam (not less than 60% efficiency) on LHCP at 20.1
GHz and 22.2 dBi gain along the main beam (not less than
78% efficiency) on RHCP at 30.4 GHz.
● An X-band antenna with rectangular aperture
(Fig.9.a) suitable for on-the-move satellite
communications was designed by Cobham Technical
Servises company as a part of “Typhoon” project [18]. The
radiating aperture uses low-loss suspended stripline to
minimize size, weight and cost. Antenna consists of 32x8
radiating elements, operating on two linear polarizations.
The size of the aperture is 832x212mm. The measured
efficiency of the antenna is about 60%.
● JAST company (Switzerland) designed a phased
array antenna with combined scanning HiSat-30TR [19].
Antenna consists of two separate apertures for each sub-
band (Fig.9.b). The system is intended for mobile satellite
communications in Ku-band, mostly for aircrafts. The
directivity of the antenna is close to 25dBi at 40o elevation
angle in both sub-bands. The G/T is 5 dB/K at 45o
elevation angle. The height of the antenna is 9mm.
IV. ANTENNAS WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRICAL
SCANNING
This option provides fast tracking, but requires a large
number of costly phase-shifters. To satisfy the
requirements towards the gain characteristics, active
phased array antennas (APAA) with power amplifiers in
the Tx antenna and LNAs in the Rx antenna are needed.
APAA with digital processing are quite promising. In this
case, the received signal at the output of LNA’s connected
to each radiator of APAA is transformed to digital form.
Then, Digital Beam Forming (DBF) is performed. Due to
DBF, a flexible control of independent beams of
arbitrary directions and width is possible.
Fig.8. Ka-band antenna panel with partially-reflective
surface
 a) b)
Fig.9. a) X-band antenna by Cobham Technical Services
b) HiSat-30TR antenna

● A consortium of companies with the support

European Space Agency designed a number of on-the
move satellite antenna terminals [20]. Fig.10. a) Ku-band NATALIA antenna
One of them is NATALIA (New Automotive Tracking b) SANDRA topology
Antenna for Low-cost Innovative Applications) is shown
in Fig.10.a. This project was dedicated to the realization of
compact cost-effective Rx-terminal for automotive
platforms in Ku-band. The bandwidth is 10.7-12.75 GHz
with linear polarization. The size of the aperture was
limited by 20cm and few cm high, while the G/T ratio
should not be less than -6 dB/K. The estimated cost of the
antenna is less than 1000 euro [21].
Project SANDRA (Seamless Aeronautical Networking
through integration of Data links, Radios, and Antennas)
was also aimed at wideband applications in Ku-band. The
main peculiarity of this antenna is the integrated antenna
system, including hybrid MMIC/Optical beam forming
network (Fig.10.b). Antenna consists of modules, each
modules includes 8x8 patches and two PCB on soft
substrate.
Project SANTANA dealt with frontends based on
digital beamforming (DBF) concept. The antenna
structure is a mix of brick and tile types. Each element is Fig.11. SANTANA 8x8 module
8x8 patch array with corresponding hybrid rings and
circuitry, realized in one LTCC multilayer module
(Fig.11).
● As mentioned by the authors of [22], phased array
antenna for mobile satellite communications with fast data
rate was designed. Antenna can be installed on the
unmanned aerial vehicles to communicate with satellites in
Ka-band. The radiating element is a truncated patch with
slot feed. A novel calibration method, described in [23]
was put into use. The reflection losses are lower than 10dB
in the 28.7 – 30.3 GHz. While scanning in range the gain Fig.12. Ku-band Phasor Solutions antenna
varied from 6.8 to 8.6 dB.
● Technology of DBF is developed by Phasor Solutions in V. PERSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
UK. The antenna described in [24] operates in Ku-band.
The novelty of this antenna is that the signals are phase ● It is known, that one of the main problems,
aligned and then summed at the baseband. This allows considering production of flat antenna arrays with high
fabricating all the digital control circuits on one low-cost characteristics is their high cost. One of the technologies,
SiGe integrated circuit. Authors declare that this aspect capable of reducing the manufacturing costs, as mentioned
in [18], is 3D-printing technologies. Authors considered
plus modular structure and integration of the antenna with
two technologies of 3D-printing. Both of them allow
circuitry lowers the cost of the antenna drastically. The
automatically create complex geometries, using 3D CAD
antenna is shown in Fig.12. models as a source with no need for later mechanical
processing. However, as mentioned, the surface finish of
the printed parts is not up to the standards: it is visible for
the naked eye and deteriorates the performance.
● Another novelty worth mentioning is the use of
metamaterials. Multi-layered flat antenna, described in
[25] utilizes lens, which improves the gain of a single
patch radiator from 6 to 10 dBi, resulting in near to 85%
efficiency. The gain of array, composed of such elements
is 23 dBi. Many other lens options are reviewed in [26].

6
 ● There are wide possibilities in utilizing novel
transition lines. One of them is substrate integrated
waveguide (SIW). A concept of antenna terminal, utilizing
SIW structure and simulation results of key elements on
SIW line is presented in [27].
Recently many companies dashingly advertise valuable
funding and activity in the area of antennas with
metamaterials. Look, for example
kymetacorp.com/technologies. It will be obvious in the
near future how competitive this technology is.
VI. CONCLUSION
The reviewed projects allow making the following
conclusions on the SOTM antennas evolution and trends:
● Successive efforts in creating traditional antennas
with improved electrical and mechanical performances, as
well as cost-efficiency are reported by many researches
and companies.
● Reflector antennas are commercialized and are
perfected towards decreasing profile height and increasing
multiband operation.
● Antenna arrays on rotary platforms with ultra-low
profile are designed for many applications. R&D works are
aimed at multi-band and dual-polarization operation
(including Ka-band).
● Active phased array antennas with two-dimensional
electrical scanning have small market for special
applications now. In R&D works, arrays with improved
characteristics are searched such as wide scan capabilities
(especially, near the horizon), flexibility due to digital
beam forming, and cost efficiency.
● Advanced technologies such as 3-D printing and
metamaterials are actively researched as candidates for
future antenna designs.
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