Development and implementation of an adaptive digital beamforming network for satellite communication systems

Recent advances in digital technology, have enabled the design of single chip digital beamforming networks. This, coupled with advances in digital signal processor technology, enables complete beamforming systems to be constructed at a lower cost, thus making the application of these techniques to commercial communications systems attractive. The authors describe the design and development of such an adaptive digital beamforming network by ERA Technology for the European Space Agency. The system is being developed as a proof of concept laboratory-based demonstrator to enable the feasibility of adaptive digital beamforming techniques for communication systems to be determined. Ultimately, digital beamforming could be used in conjunction with large array antennas for communication satellite systems