Satcom-on-the-move: Digital beam forming versus phased array

Nowadays, mobile/nomadic satcom terminals are becoming more and more popular, especially for the expanding K/Ka-band services. This paper will give an overview of tradeoffs between the classical phased array RF-frontends where RF-phase shifting devices are used, and digital beam forming topologies where the antenna elements signals are handled at digital level. RF-frontends developed by IMST and partners will serve as illustration of both topologies.