Flat Panel Antenna: The Future of Satellite Communication

The way this world connects is unbelievable. Many of us take for granted the complexity, which is used for sending messages with high speed around the world.

In the year 1957, the first satellite called Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union. It marked the first beginning or birth of satellite communications. Sputnik didn’t spend much time in space. It spent only three weeks in orbit because the battery power ended, but it delivered one strong message that there would be a future for communications.

Today, there are around 1,100 satellites present in orbit, and among them, only around 60% are active and communications satellites.

In this blog, we will learn about how satellites communicate and what is the use of antennas in the communication process.

Process of Satellite Communication:

A satellite can be a planet, moon, or machine that orbits a star or planet. The moon is said to be a natural satellite present in space.

Most of the artificial satellites are launched using rockets, and they stay in space for longer times. These satellites orbit the Earth when the speed of the satellite is balanced with the help of gravitational force. If these satellites are not balanced, they will not be able to stay in space for much time. They would either be flying in a straight line or would fall back to the Earth.

Many characterize these artificial satellites as the antenna. This can be partially accepted because there is a group of antennas attached to the equipment that is responsible for sending signals.

What is the antenna?

Antennas are said to be the main components of satellite communications. It is the component that is highly needed for both sending and receiving signals.

The antennas present on the satellites are responsible for receiving the transmitted signal from different sources. These signals are later processed with the help of a transponder and sent back to the station on Earth for redistribution.

Earlier flat panel antennas were used only by the navy, commercial aviation radar, and military. However, today, these antennas are getting enhanced to be used by satellites for communications.

What are flat panel antennas?

Flat panel antennas worked using the array technology and were commonly used by the military, navy, and later for the devices like satellite television. Different developments are going on to enhance flat panel antennas to make them more effective for communication. Several technologies are used in these antennas to perform in an accurate manner. Currently, the “phased array” technology is most practicable and effective.

The phased array is a set of computers and controlled antennas, having the potential of producing radio waves even when the antennas are in stationary positions. In the passive electronically scanned array (PESA), the antennas are attached to a single receiver and transmitter. On the other hand, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) has set up different receivers and transmitters for the antenna.

Another kind of flat panel antenna is built with metamaterials. These are not highly enhanced in comparison to the passed array ones. They feature tuneable and passive elements, which can scatter the frequency of the radio when they are started in order to make a holographic beam. They have the capability of improving the electronic beam.

Advantages of Flat Panel Antennas:

• Flat panel antennas are smaller compared to other antennas used for satellite communications. From the context of the shipping industry, flat panel antennas can be managed easily.
• They can track the satellites while staying in the stationary position, so the chances of potential failure are low due to no moving parts.

Disadvantages of Flat Panel Antennas:

• In the marine setting, maintaining a strong link with the satellite can be tricky because the rolling and pitching of the vessels can result in the antenna not being exactly perpendicular to the satellite.
• Due to the aforementioned issues, many antennas would be needed, which can result in a higher cost compared to the installation of a parabolic antenna.

Satellite Flat Panel Antenna Market Overview:

The government and defense end users are expected to dominate the satellite flat panel antenna market from 2021–2031. It is because the demand for satellite internet from the government is high. Governments around the world make strategies and sign contracts with the help of flat panel antennas that help in providing internet connection at difficult locations.

Some of the players that operate in the satellite flat panel antenna market are Hanwha Phasor, ThinKom Solutions, Intelsat, L3Harris Technologies, One Web, Ball Corporation, and Inmarsat.

As per the report of BIS Research, the global satellite flat panel antenna market is projected to reach $18.39 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 16.63% in 2021–2031. The major factor for the boost in the market is the rising requirement of satellite connectivity across several applications such as navigation and communications.

Conclusion:

Flat panel antennas play an important role in communications. Several companies are working in the market antenna that is highly engaged in the development and research initiatives and investing in new technologies that are supposed to enhance the future of communications for the satellites.