Emerging IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications require resilient, low-power user terminals capable of operating across heterogeneous terrestrial and non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) networks. To address the cost, power consumption, and integration complexity of phased-array solutions, this paper proposes a compact switched-beam antenna architecture based on multiple Butler matrices. Each antenna panel integrates three 8 × 8 Butler matrices implemented in IHP SG13S SiGe BiCMOS technology, while beam selection across panels is achieved through a 3 × 3 Butler matrix realized in multilayer PCB technology. The proposed hybrid architecture enables beam switching with selective amplifier activation, significantly reducing footprint and power consumption while simplifying terminal integration. A 3 × 8 multilayer PCB antenna array provides robust beam coverage with polarization diversity in the Ku band. Hybrid PCB/SiGe BiCMOS integration using flip-chip bonding allows efficient RF routing within a highly miniaturized enclosure. Full-wave and circuit co-simulations validate the feasibility and performance of the proposed solution, demonstrating its suitability as a scalable, low-cost antenna platform for next-generation NGSO-enabled IoT terminals.
A Compact Switched-Beam Ku-Band Antenna Architecture Based on Hybrid SiGe BiCMOS and PCB Butler Matrices for NGSO IoT Terminals
Alramadan, M.;Amendola, G.;Arnieri, E.;Boccia, L.;De Marco, R.;
2026-01-01
Abstract
Emerging IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications require resilient, low-power user terminals capable of operating across heterogeneous terrestrial and non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) networks. To address the cost, power consumption, and integration complexity of phased-array solutions, this paper proposes a compact switched-beam antenna architecture based on multiple Butler matrices. Each antenna panel integrates three 8 × 8 Butler matrices implemented in IHP SG13S SiGe BiCMOS technology, while beam selection across panels is achieved through a 3 × 3 Butler matrix realized in multilayer PCB technology. The proposed hybrid architecture enables beam switching with selective amplifier activation, significantly reducing footprint and power consumption while simplifying terminal integration. A 3 × 8 multilayer PCB antenna array provides robust beam coverage with polarization diversity in the Ku band. Hybrid PCB/SiGe BiCMOS integration using flip-chip bonding allows efficient RF routing within a highly miniaturized enclosure. Full-wave and circuit co-simulations validate the feasibility and performance of the proposed solution, demonstrating its suitability as a scalable, low-cost antenna platform for next-generation NGSO-enabled IoT terminals.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
