Adaptive antenna system design for multi-element combining with transient interrupted channels

This paper presents an analysis and design procedure for a buoyant cable array antenna used for satellite communications. The towed multi-element array is susceptible to washovers and fluctuations due to the ocean wave interaction with the floating hose where the elements are housed. A model of system performance for coherent multi-element combining is presented based on the dropouts and fades of the individual elements. The array design, including the number and spacing of elements, is shown to be highly dependent on the individual element exposure characteristics and the degree of correlation of the fades between channels. The joint statistics of the array are analyzed using a binary conditional element exposure model and a first-order Markov interelement correlation model. Using this analysis, a family of array designs meeting the communications requirements is produced.