Design and Link Budget Calculations of a 2x2 Ka-Band Phased Array Receive Antenna for Communication with Geostationary Satellites on Ankara-Paris Flights

ÖZGÜR DÜNDAR

doi:10.56753/ASREL.2025.1.6

ÖZGÜR DÜNDAR, Batuhan Koyuncu, Berkin Fenli, Esra Benli Öztürk

Year : 2025
Vol : 4
Issue : 1
Page : 78-92

DOI : 10.56753/ASREL.2025.1.6

This study presents the design, simulation, and performance evaluation of a 2×2 Ka-band (18–21 GHz) phased array microstrip antenna developed for providing reliable internet connectivity aboard passenger aircraft. With the growing demand for high-speed in-flight internet services, especially over satellite communication links, antenna systems must offer compact, lightweight, and aerodynamically compatible designs without sacrificing electromagnetic performance. The proposed antenna is specifically optimized for fast-moving aerial platforms and offers a low-profile geometry suitable for seamless fuselage integration, ensuring minimal impact on the aircraft's aerodynamic efficiency. The antenna was designed using Ansys HFSS, a full-wave electromagnetic simulator, and analyzed in terms of key performance parameters such as return loss (S11), radiation pattern, gain, and bandwidth. The simulation results indicated a return loss of –32.47 dB at the center frequency, implying excellent impedance matching. The antenna also exhibited a wide bandwidth of 2.36 GHz, fully covering the desired Ka-band downlink frequency range. The maximum simulated gain was 14.90 dBi, demonstrating a focused radiation pattern and high directivity, which are essential for maintaining a stable satellite link during dynamic flight conditions. In addition to electromagnetic performance, a comprehensive link budget analysis was conducted to assess the viability of the antenna in a typical Ka-band satellite communication scenario. The energy-per-bit to noise power spectral density ratio (Eb/N₀) was calculated as 13.60 dB, and the overall system link margin was found to be 0.55 dB, which confirms that the antenna system can support reliable data transmission even under marginal link conditions. In conclusion, the designed 2×2 phased array microstrip antenna offers a promising solution for Ka-band satellite internet systems used in commercial aviation. Its favorable electrical characteristics, compact structure, and aerodynamic compatibility make it highly suitable for next-generation airborne connectivity applications.

Cite this Article As : Koyuncu, B., & Dündar, Ö., & Fenli, B., & Öztürk, E.B. (2025). Design and Link budget calculations of a 2x2 ka-band phased array receive antenna for communication with geostationary satellites on Ankara-Paris flights. Aerospace Research Letters (ASREL), 4(1), 78-92. https://doi.org/10.56753/ASREL.2025.1.6

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Design and Link Budget Calculations of a 2x2 Ka-Band Phased Array Receive Antenna for Communication with Geostationary Satellites on Ankara-Paris Flights, Research Article,
2025, Vol. 4 (1)

Received : 30.05.2025, Accepted : 16.06.2025 , Published Online : 30.06.2025