Testing Method for Phased Array Antenna of Satellite Terminal

Phased Array Antennas (PAAs) have revolutionized satellite communication systems by enabling dynamic beam steering, multi-beam generation, and improved spectrum efficiency, making them essential for applications involving high-speed, mobile ground terminals and satellite constellations like Starlink and OneWeb [1] [5].However, testing these antennas traditionally requires the calibration of hundreds or thousands of array elements [2] [3], which is time-consuming and prone to errors.This paper proposes a new approach to streamline the testing process by utilizing a single Vector Signal Transceiver (VST) to replace the traditional combination of VST and Network Analyzer (VNA) for phased array antenna tests.This method simplifies the testing procedure, improves efficiency, and reduces costs while maintaining accurate measurement of key performance parameters such as Sparameters, bit error rate (BER), error vector magnitude (EVM), and spectral efficiency.The paper outlines the system architecture and the key components necessary for S-parameter measurements, as well as the role of VSTs in performing these tests.The proposed solution is particularly beneficial for mass production testing of phased array antennas in satellite communication systems.