{"id":56638,"date":"2021-09-17T18:56:39","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T10:56:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/design-constraints-and-integration-challenges-drive-the-search-for-the-perfect-antenna\/"},"modified":"2021-09-17T18:56:39","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T10:56:39","slug":"design-constraints-and-integration-challenges-drive-the-search-for-the-perfect-antenna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/design-constraints-and-integration-challenges-drive-the-search-for-the-perfect-antenna\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Constraints and Integration Challenges Drive the Search for the Perfect Antenna"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The perfect antenna is one the customer uses, never sees, and never worries about, said Carl Novello, the chief technology officer of NXT Communications (NXTCOMM). <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWho is the user of our technology? Is it a retail consumer user? Is it a military user on the front lines? Is it a first responder? Is it the cabin crew on an aircraft serving passengers? \u2018Perfect\u2019 means very different things to each one of those,\u201d he said. \u201cPerfect is difficult. Even more difficult is getting low cost.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/oTDCravRx6pyIKF2D76A_VS_ShowDaily20202120Wrap20Up20DGTL_Cover-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/oTDCravRx6pyIKF2D76A_VS_ShowDaily20202120Wrap20Up20DGTL_Cover-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/oTDCravRx6pyIKF2D76A_VS_ShowDaily20202120Wrap20Up20DGTL_Cover-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/oTDCravRx6pyIKF2D76A_VS_ShowDaily20202120Wrap20Up20DGTL_Cover-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/oTDCravRx6pyIKF2D76A_VS_ShowDaily20202120Wrap20Up20DGTL_Cover.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the Show Daily 2021 Wrap Up Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p>The satellite industry is on a quest for the perfect, low-cost antenna as managed networks grow. The research and trials on antenna technology require a deeper dive into specific uses: what users need and expect, and what obstacles need to be addressed. Executives from four antenna development companies weighed in on these issues during a panel at the SATELLITE 2021 conference on Thursday, Sept. 9. <\/p>\n<p>The industry is working on a simple antenna, according to Ryan Jennings, senior manager for Satcom Strategy and Products for Ball Aerospace. It comes down to the use case and how the technology is applied, which means that the perfect antenna could actually be fairly complex in design so it can be simple to use. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt needs to be simple to manufacture, simple to calibrate and optimize,\u201d Jennings said. \u201cWhen put in the field, it needs to be simple for people to use it and configure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><script>var AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6827d9d113b;googletag.cmd.push(function(){var AIMAP_29b58f13885ebf8ea6b032f958eb0748 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([992, 100], [[970, 90], [970, 250]]).addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_737ce075cc05dd766c8f8ea08f3faa73 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([768, 100], [728, 90]).addSize([320, 100], [320, 50]).build();var AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1200, 100], [970, 250]).addSize([768, 100], [600, 300]).addSize([320, 100], [300, 250]).build();AIAD_fcd45f981d570e35cee941b23edc69c7_6a6827d9d113b = googletag.defineSlot('\/987\/satellitetoday.com\/via-satellite-digital-issue-ads', [ [600, 300], [300, 250], [970, 250] ], 'div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6827d9d113d').defineSizeMapping(AIMAP_21fe3bcfb86a8660aba4e721ee9338f3).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());   });<\/script><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1774631144891- 0-6a6827d9d113d'); });<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Manufacturers need to make sure they know how to serve the needs of the user, but with an eye on how the user can or will expand that usage. That was the view of Paul Klassen, vice president of Engineering for Kymeta Corporation. His company is focused on mobility because there are specific challenges in moving vehicles. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are focused on solving the problems of the U.S. Department of Defense today,\u201d he said. \u201cThe consumer will come in the future, like in the automotive space. We have talked about that in the past, and we will get there.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Working Through Design Constraints and Integration Challenges<\/h3>\n<p>Design constraints have become more important issues that antenna developers must work through, in tandem with terminal designers. \u201cDesign constraints are very intertwined with almost every aspect of perfect and low cost,\u201d Klassen said. \u201cSome of the design constraints that we see are really around the compatibility. The L-band, the interfaces, the modem \u2014 they drive a lot of costs in the overall design of the terminal,\u201d he said, adding that the antenna side is something he believes Kymeta has solved. The real focus for Kymeta is now on the terminal, he said. <\/p>\n<p>Understanding the broader picture of antenna utilization is part of design constraints, Novello said. \u201cWhen we think of design constraints, we think of actually designing with a system in mind,\u201d he said. \u201cThat means integration with other stuff, like connectors. You know what serious impact connectors have on the cost of a PCB [printed circuit board]? It\u2019s ridiculous. These are the unfortunate outcomes of not thinking of things as entire systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dedi David Haziza, CEO and founder of NexTenna, added that they have fundamental issues on materials and components. \u201cThere are basic constraints that we have to deal with, from the element to the connector integration and all the way down to the modem, because they are all interconnected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jennings followed up about integration, and the challenges that creates, which point to giving the antenna terminal increased flexibility. \u201cThe antenna terminal is not just by itself,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is a network now. It\u2019s not just a point-to-point link. It\u2019s much more complicated now with these managed network services. The network is constantly changing. Your antenna terminal has to function in that network, and the differences in that network are significant.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Interoperability is Key<\/h3>\n<p>Antenna manufacturers need to have incentives to help build the interoperability that is needed today. \u201cInteroperability becomes a marketing term,\u201d Novello said. \u201cThere is no incumbency in our area, there is no market share leader out there. So, there is a financial incentive to play nice. That does not exist in other areas of the industry We got to be able to bite off what we chew.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stepping back to offer a broader overview of the work antenna makers are doing, Novello said that they are all involved in a moment of wonder. \u201cYou are taking a physically insignificant piece of real estate on the ground, on planet Earth, and communicating to something in space. Wow. What a literally awesome thing we are doing. I wish that \u2018wow\u2019 was better communicated to the users.\u201d <strong>VS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 426:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/P0FpXPFRcipHEUAJu9Y7_Diversity-300x199.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/P0FpXPFRcipHEUAJu9Y7_Diversity-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/P0FpXPFRcipHEUAJu9Y7_Diversity-800x532.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/P0FpXPFRcipHEUAJu9Y7_Diversity-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/P0FpXPFRcipHEUAJu9Y7_Diversity.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tCompanies that Ignore Diversity Will Lose Out, Leading Women in Space Say<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 428:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/XYUYAgHSRuqBTPFj2bim_Ground20Cost-300x199.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/XYUYAgHSRuqBTPFj2bim_Ground20Cost-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/XYUYAgHSRuqBTPFj2bim_Ground20Cost-800x532.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/XYUYAgHSRuqBTPFj2bim_Ground20Cost-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/XYUYAgHSRuqBTPFj2bim_Ground20Cost.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tGround Segment Faces Upheaval and Transformation With the Entry of Cloud Giants<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 427:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/NDK5oeFVQ8S7NfXEVKKU_SatShow-21-2816-300x199.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/NDK5oeFVQ8S7NfXEVKKU_SatShow-21-2816-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/NDK5oeFVQ8S7NfXEVKKU_SatShow-21-2816-800x532.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/NDK5oeFVQ8S7NfXEVKKU_SatShow-21-2816-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/NDK5oeFVQ8S7NfXEVKKU_SatShow-21-2816.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tMarketplace Interest in Laser Communications Grows as the Technology Matures<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The perfect antenna is one the customer uses, never sees, and never worries about, said Carl Novello, the chief technology officer of NXT Communications (NXTCOMM). \u201cWho is the user of our technology? Is it a retail consumer user? Is it a military user on the front lines? Is it a first responder? Is it the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56640,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56638"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}