Array Antennas

Through more than three decades, RUAG Space has provided array designs for space applications in the areas of earth observation and mobile communications. The product portfolio ranges from customer integrated array elements to complete arrays.

World class arraysThe RUAG Space array portfolio covers a wide range of frequencies, from L-band GNSS, over L- and S-band mobile communications and C-band SAR and scatterometry, up to millimeter waves. High performance combined with cost efficiency makes a good offer.

Slotted Waveguide Array TechnologyWith the path-breaking ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) antenna, the company provided the RF design and verifi cation of the large folded panel slotted waveguide array. The in-house simulation and synthesis tools that were developed in these pioneer years continue to provide highly accurate designs in combination with modern commercial electromagnetic simulation tools.

Galileo ICDU

The heritage from more recent times encompasses the scatterom-eter array design for the MetOp ASCAT instrument. The develop-ment continues within present-day early phase ESA fi nanced stud-ies for the second generation MetOp scatterometers.

ERS-1/ERS-2 SAR antenna

ASCAT slotted waveguide arrayDual polarized sub-panel of scatterometer antenna

Radio Occultation Array TechnologyThe bonus use of GNSS satellite signals for radio occultation instruments for characterization of the atmosphere has taken off in recent years, and these instruments will be increasingly included on dedicated meteorological satellites, as well as on “piggy-back” hosted payloads. RUAG Space has designed and manufactured the ring element array antennas for the GRAS instrument on MetOp, provid-ing a banana shaped lobe to cover the Earth limb. Development of a next generation radio-occultation array is on-going.

Mobile Communication Array TechnologyRUAG Space has developed array elements for L- and S-band mobile communica-tion satellite systems. These array elements are based on the Patch Excited Cup (PEC) topology, and provide excellent performance in terms of low mass, high aperture efficiency, low losses, as well as excellent high power handling and PIM perfor-mance.

The PEC element design enables a cost efficient product, suitable for large scale production. RUAG Space has a significant heritage, having delivered close to 4000 elements.

The PEC elements are continuously improved to enable e.g. dual simultaneous po-larizations over large bandwidth with ever-increasing power level requirements. Past and on-going development of antenna element and diplexer assemblies within ESA financed study programs ensures that the company is well-positioned for future integrated applications within the area.

GRAS instrument

ICO spacecraft with direct radiating arrays

Dual polarized PEC element with diplexers

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RUAG Space | 405 15 Göteborg | SwedenTel. +46 31 735 00 00 | Fax +46 31 735 40 00 | info.goteborg.space@ruag.com | www.ruag.com/space

RUAG Space AB is an international, independent supplier of space equipment. The company’s main products are computers, micro-

wave electronics and antennas for satellites and control and separation systems for launch vehicles. The company has its headquarters

in Gothenburg, Sweden, and a division located in Linköping, Sweden. RUAG Space AB has approximately 380 employees.

Future Array TechnologyRUAG Space has participated in ESA studies on a variety of future array technology topics, the most recent ones being the millimeter wave demonstrator for a Geosta-tionary Atmospheric Sounder (GAS) for now-casting and short-range weather fore-casting, and a study into Ka-band interferometric SAR.

RUAG Space has comprehensive experience in many array antenna technologies, both in terms of radiating elements and complete arrays:

Technology Application Frequency

Patch Excited Cup elements ICOThurayaMSV/SkyTerraMexsatGovernment programsESA studies

S-bandL-bandL-bandL-bandL-bandL- and S-band

Slotted waveguide arrays ERS-1 SARERS-2 SARASCAT scatterometerMetOp SG breadboard

C-bandC-bandC-bandC-band

Ring element arrays MetOp GRAS radio occultation L-band

Millimeter wave horn array demonstrator GAS 50+GHz

Experience

Geo Atmospheric Sounder demonstrator