Space antenna breakthrough reduces hardware demand

European Space Agency engineers have developed a revolutionary antenna technology that can greatly reduce the complexity, weight and power consumption of next-generation communication systems. This innovation utilizes the natural symmetry of antenna arrays to eliminate half of what is usually needed in beamforming systems.

The patented concept was tested in an ESA echo-free chamber that simulates space vacuum, with full functionality while requiring a lot of hardware, an important advantage of important satellites per gram and watt.

“By changing the phase and amplitude of each individual element in the array, we can direct the generated signal to the desired direction. We don’t do this by physically tilting the antenna as we did before, but by adjusting the electrical signal, we can input it into a single antenna element,” explained Esa Debergé, a developer at Microwave Engriverer. ”

Modern antenna systems increasingly rely on “antenna arrays” – the collection of smaller antennas that direct radio waves electronically rather than mechanical movement. These arrays can contain hundreds or thousands of individual elements, each of which traditionally requires a separate control component.

The breakthrough combines the concept of two ESA adjustments. The first symmetrically positioned antenna element is a pair that can be fed with complementary signals rather than independently controlled. Building on this foundation, the team’s second innovation greatly simplifies the circuitry required to generate these signals.

“The second innovation, patented by ESA in 2023, focuses on the way the circuit creates electrical signals from circuits. We propose a way to simplify circuits within the system so that we allow us to remove half of the components and still maintain the same functionality,” Debergé added.

To verify how the concept works, engineers tested prototypes in a hybrid European RF and Antenna Test Zone (HERTZ) in a supply room at the ESA Technology Centre in the Netherlands. As the walls are covered by pyramid-shaped foam absorbers to prevent signal reflections, the facility creates an environment that mimics the endless voids of space.

The technology’s applications range from satellite communications and deep space exploration to ground systems such as mobile networks.

“The concept of Hertz at Hertz is very convincing, but it’s just the beginning,” said ESA microwave engineer and joint venture ESA Valenta. “Now, the industry in ESA member states can provide space-based use, free of charge for this patent-bound concept and related experimental results.”

ESA is now preparing a dedicated R&D program to further mature the technology through its open space innovation platform, aiming to integrate solutions into a single microchip for space and ground applications.