Dual-band scan-phase diversity system for American and European SDARS

The reception of satellite digital audio radio systems (SDARS) can be significantly impaired in multipath propagation scenarios. Scan-phase diversity uses a lean hardware setup to improve the reception quality by selection and combination of multiple antenna signals. In this paper a new diversity system is described that is applicable to multiple SDARS with only minor changes to its hardware and software. Phase-shifters with a relative bandwidth of 7.75 % and a very flexibly configurable level detection circuitry allow for the optimization of American and European SDARS in a single diversity system. A hardware demonstrator of this multi-SDARS diversity system is shown. Measurements with recorded antenna signals from real multipath fading scenarios are presented. A comparison of the new system to two existing setups for European and American SDARS respectively shows similar improvements in audio availability.