Study on Spherical Phased-Array Transceivers for Omnidirectional Communication

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14208
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 21060:Electron device and electronic equipment-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Shirane Atsushi 東京工業大学, 科学技術創成研究院, 准教授 (40825254)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 衛星通信 / 集積回路 / 無線電力伝送 / 小型衛星 / フェーズドアレイアンテナ / フレキシブル基板

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Toward the realization of next-generation high-speed satellite communications using small satellites, this research has realized a spherical phased-array transceiver that is compact and lightweight, and can communicate in all directions without the need for attitude control, using an original approach that consists of a foldable polyhedron with a flexible substrate. Although the structure that folds small and expands to a flat surface has been actively studied, the attitude control mechanism that directs the antenna in a desired direction has been a challenge for installing the radio on a small satellite. In this study, in order to solve both antenna area and attitude control issues at the same time, a configuration in which the folded polyhedron is expanded into a spherical shape was adopted instead of expanding it into a flat surface.

Free Research Field

無線通信集積回路

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の球面展開型フェーズドアレイは、SpaceX社のような数百kg級衛星の非展開型フェーズドアレイや、現在研究開発段階にある平面展開型フェーズドアレイと比べても、アンテナ指向性を全方位に持つことで姿勢制御を不要にし、さらに多面体構成の展開構造によってコンパクトな収納を可能にすることで、一桁以上の軽量化を実現できる。飛躍的な打ち上げコストの低下により、通信衛星打ち上げへの参入障壁が下がり、あらゆる場所・時・人・モノがつながる世界の到来を加速する。