In radar tracking and high-capacity directional communications requiring rapid beam positioning across broad angular sectors, two-dimensional active beam steering replaces mechanical gimbals with planar phase control. Operating across the 15.7 GHz to 17 GHz band, the Ku-Band 768-Channel Two-Dimensional Phased Array Antenna integrates 768 active functional units, an antenna mast, an antenna-in-package (AIP) module, an internal power divider module, and sum/difference networks into an integrated mechanical envelope measuring ≤400 mm × 420 mm × 129 mm with a total mass of ≤17 kg, delivering a normal system EIRP of ≥88.5 dBm at room temperature.
Technical Specs & Engineering Support
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Aperture Configuration: 768-Unit Octagonal Active Scanning Topology
The 768-channel active array employs a corner-truncated planar geometry to implement two-dimensional electronic steering:
- Aperture Coordinate Layout: The radiating face is structured on a baseline grid of Nx = 32 in azimuth and Ny = 32 in pitch, with four 8 × 8 corner sub-arrays removed to form an optimized octagonal-style grid totaling 768 active elements (1024 – 256 = 768).
- Integrated Subsystem Layout: The assembly packages the antenna structure, AIP module, internal power divider module, and sum/difference network within a unified metal cavity.
- Transmit Channel Feeding: During transmission, external RF excitation routes through the internal divider network to the individual TR modules for amplification and phase adjustment before forming directed spatial beams.
- Polarization Configuration: Vertical polarization serves as the typical baseline for the radiating aperture.
Symmetric Dual-Axis Electronic Beam Steering in Azimuth and Pitch
The active planar architecture provides identical scanning coverage across both orthogonal steering axes:
- Azimuth Electronic Scanning: The array provides electronic beam steering across an azimuth angular sector of ±45°.
- Pitch Electronic Scanning: The array supports electronic beam steering across a pitch angular sector of ±45°, matching the angular sweep range of the azimuth plane.
- Beam-Pointing Precision: The beam-pointing error is specified at ≤0.2° across the stated ±45° scan range.
Transmit Signal Path: From ≥20 ± 2 dBm Excitation to ≥88.5 dBm System EIRP
The transmitter architecture distributes and amplifies the external input signal across the 15.7 GHz to 17 GHz operating bandwidth:
- RF Input Excitation Level: The front-end accepts an input excitation level specified at ≥20 ± 2 dBm.
- Power Distribution and Amplification: An internal power divider network routes the excitation to active amplification stages, where channel-level phase and amplitude weighting occur.
- Per-Channel and Full-Array Output Power: Individual active channels provide a peak output power of ≥27 dBm. Combined across the 768-element active aperture, the full-array peak output power reaches ≥55 dBm across the operating band.
- Antenna Output Gain and System EIRP: The antenna provides an output gain of ≥31.5 dB, with a normal system EIRP specified at ≥88.5 dBm at room temperature.
- Pulsed Duty Cycle Limits: The transmitter architecture supports operating duty cycles of up to 30%.
Mechanical Envelope, Power Demand, and Physical Interfaces
The 768-channel active array establishes defined mechanical, electrical, and thermal boundaries for platform integration:
- Physical Dimensions and Mass: The unit measures ≤400 mm × 420 mm × 129 mm (including rear cabin structural components) with a total mass of ≤17 kg (excluding external frequency synthesizer and signal processor subsystems).
- DC Prime Power Requirements: The internal electronics operate from a DC voltage range of 18 V to 36 V, delivered via a dedicated J30J-4-pin high-current connector. Total DC power consumption is specified at ≤1000 W at a 30% duty cycle.
- RF and Control Interfaces: The RF interface uses SSMP-J connectors (including azimuth/pitch difference ports). Array command and steering control are routed through a dedicated J30J_15TJL connector.
- Environmental Specifications: The operating temperature spans -40 °C to +70 °C, with a storage temperature rating of -50 °C to +70 °C.
- Surface Finish: The metal cavity features a conductive oxide layer, while the exterior antenna surface is finished with white primer.
Frequently Asked Questions (2D Array Architecture & Transmit Path)
Q: How is the 768-channel aperture laid out geometrically?
A: The aperture is derived from a 32 × 32 planar coordinate grid where each of the four corners has an 8 × 8 sub-array removed. This truncated octagonal geometry yields 768 active radiating units, providing symmetric electronic steering of ±45° in azimuth and ±45° in pitch with a specified pointing error of ≤0.2° within the scan range.
Q: What is the relationship between the RF input drive, array output power, and system EIRP?
A: The antenna accepts an input RF excitation of ≥20 ± 2 dBm. This drive signal is divided internally among the 768 active channels, where each channel delivers a peak power of ≥27 dBm, establishing a combined full-array peak output power of ≥55 dBm. Under factory test benchmarks at room temperature, the antenna output gain is specified at ≥31.5 dB, yielding a normal system EIRP of ≥88.5 dBm.
Q: What are the primary electrical and thermal constraints during transmission?
A: The transmitter operates at duty cycles up to 30%. The host platform power supply must deliver 18 V to 36 V DC via the J30J-4-pin connector, sized to support up to 1000 W power consumption under a 30% duty cycle while platform thermal management maintains the unit within its operating window of -40 °C to +70 °C.