Simple satellite-tracking dual-band triangular-patch array antenna for ETS-VIII applications

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will launch a geostationary satellite called Engineering Test Satellite-VIII (ETS-VIII) in 2005. ETS-VIII will conduct orbital experiments on mobile satellite communications at the S-band frequency, especially to support the development of a technology for the transmission and reception of multimedia information such as voice and images for land mobile systems. Various antennas have been developed for mobile satellite communications purposes, but these antennas have a complex composition. A simple satellite-tracking triangular-patch array antenna is proposed. The targeted minimum gain of the antenna is set to 6 dBic at an elevation of 48° in the Tokyo area for applications of a few hundred kbps. The antenna also should be designed as thin, compact, small and simple as possible, because it will be mounted on bullet train, ship or car roof.