Performance Evaluation of Planar Array Antennas by Applying Tapering Techniques for LEO Satellite Communication Using MATLAB Simulations

This paper presents a MATLAB-based approach to model a planar array antenna using the array factor. The proposed model allows the exploration of various tapering techniques and their impact on key radiation characteristics such as Side Lobe Level (SLL), directivity, and Half Power Beam Width (HPBW). The primary objective of this study is to assess the antenna's performance as a suitable solution for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication system. The study highlights the practical implications of the antenna's performance in LEO satellite deployment. The beam footprint, defining the coverage area on Earth's surface illuminated by the antenna's radiation pattern, is a critical consideration for effective communication and coverage capabilities. To validate the MATLAB-based method for antenna performance assessment, we designed a <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$30\ \times\ 30$</tex> planar array antenna using Ansys HFSS. Subsequently, we found that the simulation results from the antenna design in Ansys closely aligns with those obtained from the antenna modeling in MATLAB. In summary, this paper contributes a comprehensive analysis of a planar array antenna's radiation characteristics through various tapering techniques. By focusing on LEO satellite communication requirements, the study not only evaluates the antenna's efficacy but also demonstrates its suitability for real-world satellite applications, including its beam footprint and directional capabilities.