61-channel digital beamforming (DBF) transmitter array

This paper presents a 61-channel digital beamforming transmitter array antenna for the mobile satellite communication application, that can form sixteen beams simultaneously. After the general introduction, the architecture and interconnect design of the array is discussed. Subsequently, two key technologies of DBF system are proposed: 1) rapid array signal processing and distributed digital beamforming network design and 2) calibration methodologies with ease in project implementation. Finally, the measurements and results of the DBF array demonstrate that the exceptional processing capability of digital beamforming network and the feasibility of project implementation.