SkyBandSemiconductors Discuss a project

SKY05In developmentStage 1 of 6: Concept

AESA tile

An active electronically steered antenna tile concept that brings together beamforming, transmit/receive RF paths, calibration and thermal design.

Not released. No performance figure, price or date is published.

Discuss co-development of the AESA tile

The problem

An active electronically steered array points a beam without moving parts, which suits terminals on vehicles, aircraft and uncrewed platforms. A tile is the repeating unit: a group of radiating elements with the electronics behind them. That electronics must fit behind a small element spacing, remove its own heat and stay calibrated across RF paths. The concept studies how beamforming, transmit/receive RF paths and thermal design fit together in one tile.

Target applications

  • Mobile satellite terminals that must track a satellite while moving.
  • Satellite payloads for imaging or surveillance radars.
  • Airborne platforms with strict size and weight limits.
  • Uncrewed systems that need a steerable link without a mechanical gimbal.

Concept objective and SkyBand scope

Objective

To study how beamforming, transmit/receive RF paths, calibration and thermal design fit together in one active antenna tile.

SkyBand scope

SkyBand would study the partitioning of the tile, select the technology, design and simulate the electronics behind the radiating elements and plan validation with you. The platform and the terminal stay with the partner. The concept addresses one tile, the repeating unit, not a complete antenna or system. Whether the radiating elements and the thermal design are in SkyBand's scope is still to be agreed.

Concept architecture

AESA tile: concept architectureBlock diagram of the tile. An RF/IF interface connects in both directions to a beamformer, which connects to the transmit/receive RF paths, which connect to the radiating elements. Control and calibration act on the beamformer and the RF paths. A thermal design block sits under the whole tile.RF/IF interfaceTo the terminalBeamformerTransmit/receiveRF pathsRadiatingelementsControl and calibration · settings and RF path matchingThermal design · heat removal from the power amplifiersBlock in scopeScope to be agreedSignal flowControl
Concept architecture, functional view.
RF/IF interface
Connects the tile to the terminal electronics.
Beamformer
Splits and combines the signals and sets the phase and amplitude for each RF path.
Transmit/receive RF paths
Amplify and switch the signal for each group of elements.
Radiating elements
Radiate and receive the signal. Their scope is to be agreed. Scope to be agreed.
Control and calibration
Holds RF path settings and keeps the RF paths matched.
Thermal design
Removes heat from power amplifiers. Scope to be agreed.

Decisions still open

  • How the beamforming and the RF paths are partitioned inside the tile.
  • Whether the radiating elements and the thermal design are part of SkyBand's scope.
  • Which technology serves each function. Technology is not yet selected.

Engineering challenges

  1. Calibration between RF paths

    Beam quality depends on matched RF paths. The study addresses how phase and amplitude are calibrated and held over temperature and time.

  2. Thermal density

    Many active RF paths sit in a small area. The study addresses how heat leaves the tile without raising temperatures that affect performance.

  3. Isolation between RF paths

    Close RF paths can couple to each other. The study addresses the isolation the layout and the packaging must keep.

  4. Control and power distribution

    Every RF path needs settings and supply. The study addresses the control interface and the power distribution across the tile.

  5. Partitioning the functions

    Beamforming and the RF paths can be split in several ways. The study addresses which partition suits the tile.

Technology direction

Technology is not yet selected. A tile spans power, low-noise, switching and control functions, which can favour different technologies. The architecture study decides how they are partitioned and integrated.

Tools and technologies

Validation approach

  1. Simulation of the RF paths, the beamformer and their interaction.
  2. Electromagnetic and thermal modelling of the tile.
  3. A characterisation plan covering RF path matching, agreed with the partner.
  4. Evaluation of a demonstrator tile against the agreed criteria.

Status and target specifications

Target specifications will be agreed during a scoped feasibility discussion.

Parameter status for AESA tile
ParameterLabelValue
Frequency regionTARGETNot publicly specified
TARGET
An intended objective, not yet demonstrated.
SIMULATED
A value predicted by simulation.
MEASURED
A value observed on fabricated hardware.
PLANNED
Work that is scheduled and not yet done.

No simulated or measured value is published for this concept.

Who this is for

Terminal makers, airborne platform integrators and uncrewed-system developers that need a steerable active antenna and are ready to define the specification together.

Useful for a first exchange

Nothing here needs to be confidential. Describe these points in general terms and do not send controlled data through this website.

  • Your platform and its operating band, described without controlled data.
  • The space behind the aperture and the heat the platform can remove.
  • The number of RF paths per tile you have in mind.
  • What you expect from the control interface and the calibration.
Product roadmap

Other product concepts

Two concepts at a time, moving on every few seconds. Point at a card or focus it to hold the motion, and select it to open the concept page.

Next step

Tell us your platform, band and the space behind the aperture.

We will review how we would partition the tile, and what we would need to start.

Discuss co-development of the AESA tile Tools and technologies