An experimental and theoretical study of self-phased arrays in mobile satellite communications

Communication with satellites from ships and aircraft requires the accurate pointing of a high-gain antenna. The self-phased array, which performs beam steering automatically by the use of a pilot carrier, offers a number of advantages in this application. The principles and properties of this type of array are outlined, and their implications for array design are discussed. An experimental self-phased system using a phase-locked loop, which receives signals from the Marecs satellite over the Atlantic Ocean, is described. Results are presented for a two-element laboratory prototype to illustrate its performance. The behavior of the self-phased-array concept under multipath conditions is particularly interesting and is examined both theoretically and experimentally