Description
The project is part of the SAT-AIS ARTES 21 Design Element Programme. The main objective of the SAT-AIS Design Element is to define a satellite-based automatic identification system service that will enable maritime organizations to detect and track ships at distances from coastlines that cannot be covered by terrestrial AIS.
The purpose of the project is to evaluate both antennas and new frequencies in order to optimize the performance of a satellite constellation for SAT-AIS operation. The work breakdown was twofold: 1) to investigate the potential of a compact and light weight beam-steering smart antenna for future AIS on satellite missions and 2) to evaluate the new AIS frequencies dedicated for space (channels 3 and 4 at around 156 MHz).
The major critical areas were identified to be:
• Size and weight of antenna vs radiation efficiency and bandwidth,
• Platform dependency,
• Characterization of the signal environment in the new AIS frequencies dedicated for space.
