Mobile Satellite communications hold the promise that can fulfil the Digital Agenda 2020 objective for fast Internet everywhere by providing broadband communications regardless of the place and platform. The advent of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets along with multimedia content continue to push technology forward. There are major efforts in launching new satellite systems in addition to existing ones that offer fixed satellite services. There is also a strong European interest Area considering the Galileo system and the European Space Agency work on broadband global access networks. European regulators have recently agreed to harmonize the spectrum for Earth Stations on Mobile Platforms that will use parts of the Ka-Band. Mobile or transportable terminals require an antenna solution. Existing antenna choices come mostly in the form of reflector dishes. The use of compact, flat and lightweight antennas is a major facilitator for the adoption of such terminals.
The project addresses the problem of antennas and related components that are required for the mobile terminals which can operate in the millimeter wave bands. Furthermore, printed antennas at these frequencies can also be utilized for future research opportunities on other emergent millimeter wave applications such as 5G, gigabit Wifi, wireless energy harvesting. In this context, the major research objective is to develop printed antenna elements and arrays that can provide 1GHz bandwidth for the transmitter uplink (29-30 GHz) and 1GHz for the receiver downlink(19-20 GHz). It is proposed that Circular Polarization is to be used due to reduced losses for the signal propagation up to the satellite. The antennas are to be developed in Substrate Integrated Waveguide(SIW). Complementary circuit components are investigated; waveguide transitions, power splitters and duplexers that constitute the feeding network. An additional objective, with interdisciplinary character, is the application of artificial intelligence algorithms to antenna design.
An important objective of the program is also the development of research management skills, supervisory skills and building collaborations with other research group so that the fellow can arrive at a leading independent position.
In conclusion, new low cost and lightweight antennas and arrays have been produced that operate in two millimeter wave bands. These arrays, comprised of 16 elements, can form the basis for mobile terminals' antennas.
A second contribution is the transfer of antennas designs to the field of energy harvesting. Furthermore, due to the background of the fellow, several activities have disseminated regulatory and standards konwledge in the research community. Work was also done towars the interdisciplinary application of a class of a new algorithms called evolutionary algorithms which were applied to printed antennas that can operate in millimeter waves.
In addition, the fellow was trained in research proposal writing and develop supervisory skills by having three students.
