By Congsi Wang, Haihua Li and Kang Ying, Xidian University, Meng Wang, Research Institute of the Shaanxi Huanghe Group, Zhihai Wang, No. 38 of CETC Research Institute, Xuelin Peng, Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology, and Shaoxi Wang, Northwestern Polytechnical University, China

More and more is being required of space antennas: multi-functionality, multi-band coverage, long range, higher transmitting power, yet lower power consumption, driven by the need for ever-increasing data-transfer capacities. Earlier antennas had small apertures and low gain, making them unsuitable for these growing requirements. Space-deployable reflector antennas solved some of the problems, but their reliance on mechanical scanning causes inertia and low speed. Heavily relying on mechanical components also leads to problems such as reduced reliability and increased weight.

Active phased-array antennas based on satellite platforms offer large apertures and are light. Their high gain, long range, rapid beam scanning, agile beam steering and multi-beam forming satisfy the needs of spaceborne equipment…