Ku/Ka band (tracking) antenna

Description:

In the context of ESA NGSO-Sense project, a dual Ku/Ka band non-terrestrial antennas was purchased with tracking capabilities:

The ground terminal comprises a system for measurement and characterization of the NGSO/GSO interference. The system considers two antenna dishes, one for Ku-band and one for Ka-band, mounted on a metallic structure whose orientation is controlled with a 3-axis rotor system. The input signal is down-converted by the Low Noise Blocks (LNBs) into several output bands. Each band can be directed to the following blocks via the Switching Matrix. The whole band can then be inspected by the Spectrum Analyzer, whereas the SDR can focus on specific areas.

The SDR is connected to a software module implemented in MATLAB which had model-based and AI-based interference detection, as well as an RF characterization module to come up with a list of potential NGSO interferers.

The antenna will be installed in Kircheberg Campus of Univ. Luxembourg during the summer of 2025.

Related works:

• A. Saifaldawla, F. Ortiz, E. Lagunas, S. Chatzinotas, “Gen-AI Based Models for NGSO Satellites Interference Detection”, IEEE Trans. On Machine Learning in Communications and Networking, June 2024.