Micro-Ant, a bespoke antenna designer, has developed switched beam electronically scanned antennas (ESAs) that consist of multiple radiating antenna elements. These ESAs are combined in groups to achieve hemispherical coverage and near instantaneous tracking and switching between all visible low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, making them suitable for maritime, aviation, defense, and terrestrial network scenarios.
The most recently launched product is the maritime Iridium Certus HGA-2. This shipboard antenna has been lauded for its “best-in-class antenna performance” and enabling reliable voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. These antennas operate on Iridium’s high speed LEO constellation network offering data rates of 800 KPS. Each of the antennas electrically tracks the moving Iridium LEO satellite while searching for the next satellite for “make-before-break” switching all while operating on a moving vehicle either maritime or airborne.
Now, the company is in the process of integrating an aircraft-mounted Certus HGA-2. This airborne L-Band ESA will provide in-air voice connectivity achieving even greater beam agility in a much smaller package.
Micro-Ant has years of experience in developing both the antenna aperture, the hardest part of the design overall, as well as the systems needed to achieve beam switching and power amplification in various mission-critical applications. This story highlights an interesting product developed by them. You can contact them to learn more about their bespoke antenna development services.
