The aim of this study is to design an antenna for mobile satellite communication that can be integrated in a modular phone. The initial idea was to find a solution for mobile satellite communications that is more agreeable and manageable than the existing satellite phones. To design such a product it is important to understand the parameters and operation of an antenna, but also the requirements of a satellite link. Another important and challenging aspect of this study is that the antenna consists of an array of elements that will allow beam steering.
By choosing a mobile satellite communication operator, a set of requirements will be established for the operation of the antenna, which have a major impact on the design. The implementation is performed in an electromagnetic simulation software starting from the design of a single element and continuing with the implementation of a linear and eventually a planar array. Each form of implementation presents advantages and disadvantages which are presented and discussed throughout this project.
The results of the array performance in terms of gain and axial ratio were in agreement with the link budget requirements, but when steering the beam the performance worsens.