Phased Array Design for Cambridge Consultants Ltd and Stratospheric Platforms Ltd
The client
Cambridge Consultants Ltd, a renowned UK-based innovation and technology consultancy, excels in developing groundbreaking products and services. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Cambridge, the company specializes in fields such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, wireless communications, and product design. With a global presence, including offices in the US, Singapore, and Japan, Cambridge Consultants transforms ideas into market-ready innovations for clients across various industries. In this project, CEMTL offered them their design consultancy services for a project in partnership with Stratospheric Platforms Ltd (now World Mobile).
The services
CEMTL provided expert design consultancy services resulting in an array design described in a consultancy report.
The challenge
Cambridge Consultants was tasked with designing a wideband phased array system for mobile communications, to be mounted on the underside of an aircraft wing. The system needed to deliver sufficient bandwidth to support a variety of services, including voice, data, and streaming, across a broad range of frequencies. The project was part of a high-altitude platform initiative aimed at providing high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity globally, offering a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional terrestrial networks.
The primary challenge lay in the phased array design and electromagnetic performance. It was essential to maximize the system’s bandwidth while maintaining high dynamic range and minimizing sidelobes to reduce spillover and interference. The solution required advanced electromagnetic modeling and precise optimization of the array layout to meet the demands of high-altitude applications.
The approach
Cambridge Electromagnetic Technology Ltd played a critical role in the early phases of the project, focusing on the phased array layout design and electromagnetic modeling. Using state-of-the-art simulation tools, we optimized the layout of the array to achieve exceptional bandwidth performance while maintaining precise beam control. Our work ensured high dynamic range and reduced sidelobes, critical for minimizing interference and maximizing efficiency.
The team’s expertise in electromagnetic design enabled us to refine the array’s structure for optimal coverage and performance, all while adhering to the tight spatial constraints imposed by its placement on the aircraft wing.
The results
This collaboration resulted in a high-performance phased array system that was successfully built, tested, and integrated into Stratospheric Platforms Ltd advanced communication systems. By leveraging our expertise in array layout optimization and electromagnetic modeling, we helped ensure the system met the stringent requirements for high-bandwidth and sensitivity.
Now a key component of Stratospheric Platforms’ networks, the phased array delivers cost-effective, ubiquitous connectivity to underserved regions around the world. This project highlights the critical role of precise electromagnetic design in enabling groundbreaking technologies and demonstrates how innovative engineering can transform the future of high-altitude communication platforms.
Customer satisfaction
“CEMTL used its experience in array theory and its analysis tools to provide valuable advice on the tradeoffs in different phased array configurations for our massive antenna system through calculation and simulation. This helped Cambridge Consultants to define and subsequently develop the right array configuration to deliver optimum performance for the delivery of cellular services from high-altitude platforms in the stratosphere.“
Gary Kemp, Programme director
“CEMTL’s heritage in developing massive antenna arrays for radio astronomy was valuable in helping Cambridge Consultants to achieve world-leading performance from very large commercial phased array antenna systems.“
Gary Kemp, Programme director