C-COM files second patent for phased array antenna technology

Ottawa, November 2016: C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., the leading global provider of mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, has announced that it has developed a patent pending technology to be used with its next generation in-motion phased array antennas.

Prototype of active 4×4 Antenna Module
This technology has been developed in partnership with the University of Waterloo under the guidance of Dr. Safieddin (Ali) Safavi-Naeini, director of the Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems (CIARS). The new method, under patent, for calibrating a phased array antenna, is expected to be used in low-profile two-way phased-array antenna systems for land-mobile satellite communications.

“This newly invented technique provides a faster and much lower-cost calibration process which can be easily integrated with the phased-array system, thus eliminating costly system calibration during manufacturing (production phase),” said Dr. Safieddin Safavi-Naeini, a professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. “The main advantage of this method is that it significantly reduces the calibration time and enhances its accuracy,” continued Dr. Safavi-Naeini.

“Another remarkable advantage of this new patent pending design is hardware simplicity and its integration into the phased-array system – the entire calibration can be performed during system initialization in the field,” continued Dr. Safavi-Naeini. ”This new calibration solution can also extract critical geometrical parameters of the system and identify mechanical misalignment errors.”

“This novel method provides a very practical solution in terms of product reliability. Calibration can be performed in the field at any time without requiring the antenna to be shipped back to the equipment provider,” said Bilal Awada, Chief Technology Officer of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

“As a research-intensive institution, we encourage industry collaboration as a means to advance technology through a mutually-beneficial partnership,” said Dave Dietz, Director of Research for the Faculty of Engineering. “Through the support of C-COM, Prof. Safavi-Naeini’s research team continues to advance science and innovation in the field of satellite communications.”

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the University of Waterloo and support the research on this unique Ka-band in-motion antenna technology,” said Leslie Klein, President and CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.

www.c-comsat.com
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