Antenna system solution for uninterrupted satellite-on-the-move (SOTM) communications

A satellite-on-the-move (SOTM) communications system is required for future combat systems (FCS) battlefield environments. However, because of non-planar terrain, foliage, buildings, and natural obstacles, communications can be interrupted and complete or partial blockage occurs. The signal can also degrade due to interference and multipath effects. In the case of unavoidable blockages, apriori knowledge or estimate of the propagation conditions allows an alternative means to be put into action until the terminal is able to reacquire the satellite link. This paper addresses mitigation of unavoidable blockage scenarios by the use of an integrated antenna system, which consists of a main-link antenna and a number of cross-link antennas.