Pre-aligned Non-Intrusive Ku-band Direct-to-Home Antenna (PAckMan)

Many SatCom users could not install parabolic antennas due to installation complexity and/or aesthetic reasons. This problem can be overcome by a thin flat antenna that can be easily installed, aligned and also be flat-mounted in a good-looking manner. A possible solution is customization of the antenna design by combining existing antenna technologies (like patch array or flat lenses) with novel manufacturing processes, like 3D printing. Each customized antenna needs to be unique and the built-in beam pointing depends on the user’s geographical location and mounting wall. This activity aims at using manufacturing processes compatible with volume production of flat-mounted Ku-band TV reception antennas that reduce user installation effort thereby improving customer acceptance.