Miniaturised Terminal for Massive Uncoordinated Satellite Access Networks

The need for miniaturisation of terminals used onboard satellites for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, in terms of size, weight and consumed power, has been well recognised as a key enabler for the adoption of internet of things, solutions.

Despite advancements in power-efficient satellite IoT protocols, it was recognized that the most pressing area for innovation was better integration for antennas, and radiofrequency processing units.

In particular, the antenna has been considered an enabling element in this chain, which is vital to achieving the compactness and performance required.

A TDE activity with Egatel, Spain, has designed and prototyped a miniaturized IoT terminal, with an antenna integrated into on highly compact and low weight unit. The portable terminal is specially developed for satellite communications in K/Ka frequency band, to offer services in rural and underserved geographical areas supporting applications such as agriculture and energy.

One of the main innovations and achievements of the activity was in the design, simulation, manufacturing and testing of low-cost flat panel antennae, formed by arrays of 16 x 16 radiating elements and optimized for the specific frequency bands used (Ka and K bands).

Although the measured antennae gains were lower than initially expected, a final product based on this prototype could still be technically and economically viable if used in conjunction with existing, power-efficient IoT protocols.

Another innovative technique, known as Fusion Bonding, was investigated for producing the multilayer antenna structures but was considered too immature and expensive for this low cost application.

4000125713 completed in June 2021.