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IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
Volume 47 Number 3, March 1999

Table of Contents for this issue

Complete paper in PDF format

The IRIDIUM Main Mission Antenna Concept

J. J. Schuss, J. Upton, B. Myers, T. Sikina, A. Rohwer, P. Makridakas, R. Francois, L. Wardle, and R. Smith (Invited Paper)

Page 416.

Abstract:

The design of a novel phase array panel that provides the L-band satellite to ground links for the IRIDIUM global communications system is presented. Key components and aspects of this phase array antenna are discussed including the beamforming architecture, radiated intermodulation products, the patch radiators, and the T/R module. The strategy for minimizing dc power consumption over a large range of multicarrier RF output power is described. Finally, test results showing compliant array operation are summarized.

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