The article above has been copied from another web site and is considered forum spam by search engines, so this page has been excluded from search engine indexing.

If you want the genuine article go to:
https://www.antesky.com/what-are-methods-for-antenna-tracking-system/

Best regards, Eric

The article above has been copied from another web site and will be considered forum spam by search engines, so this page has been excluded from search engine indexing.

If you want the genuine article go to:
https://www.antesky.com/the-role-of-power-amplifierpa-in-antenna-communication-s...

Best regards, Eric

In modern wireless communication systems, power amplifiers (PA) play a vital role. Whether it is our smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, or large ground stations and satellite communication systems, PA are one of the core components that ensure that signals can be transmitted effectively. Previously, we’d showed the development of Power Amplifiers(PAs). Welcome to click this link for details.This article will explore the important role of Power Amplifier(PA) in antenna communication systems and their working principles.

The main function of the power amplifier(PA) is to amplify the low-power signal to a sufficient power level to drive the antenna and achieve long-distance communication.

1. Basic functions of power amplifier(PA)
As the name implies, the power amplifier’s main function is to amplify the power of the signal. In an antenna communication system, the power amplifier(PA) is located at the end of the transmission link and is directly connected to the antenna.

In wireless communication systems, the role of the power amplifier(PA) can be summarized as follows:

Signal amplification: Amplify the low-power signal output by the modulator to the required transmission power.

Basic functions of power amplifier

Impedance matching: Ensure impedance matching between the power amplifier(PA) and the antenna to maximize power transfer efficiency.

Impedance matching of buc

Linearity guarantee: While amplifying the signal, minimize distortion and ensure signal integrity.

Linearity guarantee of buc

Efficiency optimization: Under the premise of meeting performance requirements, improve the efficiency of the power amplifier(PA) as much as possible and reduce system power consumption.

2. Key performance indicators of power amplifiers(PA)
To evaluate the performance of an amplifier, engineers usually focus on the following key parameters:

Gain: The ratio of output power to input power (usually expressed in dB )

Efficiency: The ratio of RF output power to DC input power

Linearity: The ability of an amplifier to maintain a linear relationship between output and input

Bandwidth: The frequency range over which an amplifier can operate effectively

Harmonic distortion: Harmonic components generated due to nonlinear characteristics

3. Interaction between power amplifier (PA) and antenna system
The power amplifier(PA) does not work independently, it has a complex interactive relationship with other parts of the system.

(1) Power amplifier(PA) and antenna

Impedance matching: Impedance matching between antenna and power amplifier is the key to system design. If the matching is poor, it will increase the reflected power, reduce the efficiency of the power amplifier(PA), and even damage the power amplifier.

Load mismatch: In actual applications, the antenna may cause impedance mismatch due to environmental changes (such as proximity to metal objects). The load mismatch capability of the power amplifier(PA) (such as standing wave ratio tolerance) directly affects the reliability of the system.

Radiation efficiency: The output power and linearity of the power amplifier(PA) directly affect the radiation efficiency of the antenna. If the nonlinear distortion of the power amplifier(PA) is large, it may cause the signal spectrum to expand and interfere with other frequency bands.

(2) Power amplifier(PA) and filter

Harmonic suppression: The signal output by the power amplifier(PA) usually contains harmonic components, which may interfere with other frequency bands. The function of the filter is to suppress the harmonics and ensure that the output signal meets the spectrum specifications.

Out-of-band noise: The noise performance of the power amplifier(PA) will affect the receiving sensitivity of the system. The filter can suppress the out-of-band noise generated by the power amplifier(PA) and improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the system.

(3) Power amplifier and modem

Linearity requirements: Modern communication systems (such as 5G) use complex modulation methods (such as QAM, OFDM), which have extremely high requirements on the linearity of the power amplifier(PA). If the linearity of the power amplifier(PA) is insufficient, it will cause signal distortion and reduce the bit error rate performance of the system.

Dynamic range: The signal power at the modem output may vary dynamically, and the power amplifier(PA) needs to have sufficient dynamic range to handle these changes while maintaining high efficiency.

(4) Amplifier and power supply

Power efficiency: The efficiency of the PA directly affects the overall power consumption of the system. A high-efficiency PA reduces the burden on the power supply and extends battery life (in mobile devices).

Power supply noise: Power supply noise may be coupled into the RF signal through the power amplifier(PA), affecting the signal-to-noise ratio of the system. Therefore, power supply design needs to consider noise suppression.

4. Application of different types of power amplifiers(PA)
Depending on the application scenario, the communication system will use different types of power amplifiers(PA):

Class A amplifier: high linearity but low efficiency (theoretical maximum efficiency 50%), suitable for occasions with extremely high signal quality requirements

Class B amplifier: high efficiency (theoretical maximum efficiency 78.5%) but has crossover distortion

Class AB amplifier: a compromise between Class A and Class B, taking into account both efficiency and linearity

Class D amplifier: switch mode amplifier, very high efficiency (up to 90% or more) but poor linearity

Class E and Class F amplifiers: Specially designed high-efficiency switch-mode amplifiers

Future development trends of power amplifiers(PA)
The future development of power amplifier(PA) technology may focus on the following directions:

Higher efficiency: meeting the needs of green communications and energy conservation and emission reduction

Wider bandwidth: Supports multi-band and multi-standard communications

Higher integration: Integrate the power amplifier with other RF front-end components

AI Optimization: Using machine learning algorithms to optimize amplifier performance and operating points

As a key component in the antenna communication system, the performance of the power amplifier(PA) directly affects the quality, efficiency and reliability of the entire communication system. With the rapid development of technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things and satellite communications, higher requirements are placed on power amplifier technology. Understanding the role and principle of power amplifiers not only helps in the design of communication systems, but also helps us better understand the engineering challenges behind modern wireless technologies.

I'm pleased to see so many people reading the above and hopefully downloading the report on Starlink performance.

I would be interested in any personal experienes / stories about your Starlink terminal.

You may sent text and images to me by email ( eric@satsig.net ) and I will add them below here in this thread, or you can go through the forum registration process and put your text and images yourself.  The registration process is rather longwinded but unfortunately needs to be in order to stop spammers!  Emails to me works quite well.

If you want to send me images of your Starlink terminal for adding here to this forum please do this only if you have taken the pictures yourself, for copyright reasons.

Best regards. Eric

For sale 9.4m and 7.3m antennas.
 

For sale:

ASC 9.4M Ku-Band 4-Port Motorized Antenna

GDSATCOM 7.3M Ku-Band Motorized Antenna (high wind option)

Both in excellent condition; dismantling/crating is buyer’s responsibility.

If interested contact:

Satcom Solutions Inc.
Cell: 732-810-9919
Skype: satcomsolutionsinc
Web:  http://www.satcomsolutions.org/

It is worth a comment from me here regarding the accuracy and correctness of posted messages in this forum.

Google Search reads all messages in this forum. I think Google AI hopes to learn from these (!) plus everything else on the internet about satellite communications. It is important therefore that all your real human contributions are as accurate as possible.

Please avoid posting any AI generated messages to avoid AI systems feeding on their own output !

Also, please avoid posting duplicates of what is already on the internet. Just put a link instead. For example, you can do this by typing similar to this example:

Code:

[url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3589334.3645328]Starlink satellite network performance report[/url] 

The bit between url= and the next ] is the intended destination web page. The text "Starlink ... report" is what you need to invent to describe what your link leads to.

Best regards, Eric.

The word "omnidirectional" is often used in the base station context. It refers to an antenna with an even intended useable gain in all horizontal directions (360 deg of azimuth). The gain upwards to the sky or directly down to the ground will be very low. Such antenna patterns are referred to having a dumbbell or toroidal shape. Gain in all horizontal directions, of a simple (and perfect) dipole is 0 dBd or +2.15 dBi. Higher horizontal gains may be achieved by stacking many dipole type radiators directly above one another.

In all radio systems the signal power flux density becomes reduced, as the signal spreads out, the further you go from the source . The reduction is normally described as "spreading loss" or "path loss". The word "attenuation" is particularly applicable to rain fading where some of the signal may be absorbed by the rain.

I've just had a go at using Chrome browser and Google search for idirect+modem+commands

If you select "AI mode" at the top of the search results, Google gives an amazingly detailed description of what to do.

I recommend getting the manual for the particular type/model of iDirect modem/router you have.

Looking for a 13–16 meter earth station antenna with:

    C-band (circular) and preferably Ku-band (linear)
    0–360° azimuth, 0–90° elevation
    TLE autotracking, Ethernet/1000BASE-T remote control
    WR-229 & WR-75 interfaces

If you know of any such dish that is available or might be available in next few months please email me eric@satsig.net and I will forward to the client. Must quote ref: 15-Aug-2025

If you can do something similar pleas say.

Best regards, Eric

From a professional perspective, antenna gain is defined as the ratio of the square of the field strength produced by an actual antenna to that of an ideal radiating element (typically an isotropic radiator, which radiates energy uniformly in all directions) at the same point in space, under equal input power conditions. Simply put, it represents the power ratio, as illustrated in the figure below.

Antenna gain is closely related to the antenna radiation pattern, which serves as a “map” depicting the distribution of signal strength in different directions. The narrower the main lobe of the pattern, the more concentrated the signal is in a specific direction. Additionally, smaller side lobes and back lobes indicate reduced energy leakage in undesired directions. Consequently, the antenna’s gain increases as a result.
When describing antenna gain, we often encounter two parameters: dBd and dBi. They are like two different “rulers” for measuring antenna gain.

dBi represents the antenna’s maximum directional field strength relative to an isotropic radiator (an ideal point-source antenna that radiates energy uniformly in all directions, with a radiation pattern resembling a perfect sphere). For example, an antenna with a gain of 5dBi means its radiation intensity in the maximum direction is 5dB stronger than that of an ideal isotropic radiator.

On the other hand, dBd represents the antenna’s maximum directional field strength relative to a half-wave dipole (a common basic antenna form consisting of two quarter-wavelength conductors, shaped like a “dumbbell”). Unlike an isotropic radiator, a half-wave dipole has inherent directionality and does not radiate uniformly in all directions.

Antenna gain plays a critical role in the operational quality of mobile communication systems in real-world scenarios, as it directly determines the signal level at the cell edge. In various communication environments, antenna gain serves as an indispensable factor.
In base station communications, the typical gain of a directional base station antenna is around 18 dBi, while that of an omnidirectional base station antenna is approximately 11 dBi. Directional antennas, with their higher gain, concentrate signals toward specific areas, effectively covering key zones such as urban business districts and residential areas. Omnidirectional antennas, on the other hand, rely on their relatively lower but uniformly distributed gain to provide signal coverage for users within a certain range in open suburban or rural areas.

Satellite communication heavily depends on high-gain antennas. Due to the vast distance between satellites and Earth, signals experience significant attenuation during transmission. To ensure stable signal transmission between ground stations and satellites, high-gain antennas are essential for concentrating signal energy and reducing path loss. For instance, parabolic antennas—commonly used in satellite communications—function like large “signal-collecting bowls,” focusing weak satellite signals for reception while also concentrating signals transmitted from ground stations to achieve long-distance communication. In satellite TV reception, the familiar “dish” antenna is a type of parabolic antenna that uses high gain to receive satellite signals, allowing us to enjoy programs from around the world in our homes.