Automated, rapid antenna pattern synthesis
SATSOFT will allow users to perform antenna trade studies with single beam, multi-beam, and shaped beam designs. Performance can
be further analyzed with optional antenna models (e.g., phased array and reflector). Shaped patterns, component beams and
station grids can be automatically synthesized from one or more coverage polygons. Further analysis is supported by a full set
of graphical editing tools that can be used to add, delete, or modify parameters of beamlets and stations.
Contour plotting
Full control over each beam allows user-specified contour plotting of directivity, EIRP, G/T, C/I, co-pol/cross-pol ratios and
other key performance parameters. Additionally, by applying path-loss compensation, flux density and C/N contours can also be
plotted. Antenna modeling time is minimized using the built-in Whittaker/Shannon interpolation/reconstruction algorithm. All
plots can be created at a precise scale for overlaying and as an aid in digitizing contours and polygons.
Performance tables
Directivity, gain, EIRP, G/T, flux density, pointing error degradation,cross-pol and other performance parameters for
user-selected cities and station locations can be displayed in a tabular format. A city database of over 1,600 of the world's
largest cities is provided. In addition to printing and exporting, the tables can be cut and pasted into Excel or other Windows applications.
Coordinate systems and displays
SATSOFT transforms antenna contours, geopolitical maps, coverage polygons, cities, pointing/error boxes, and other features
into any of nine different display coordinate systems. The four most commonly used antenna coordinate systems
([u,v - sin space], [q,f - theta space, az/el, el/az) are provided for pattern import and display. Antenna boresights can be
specified in (az,el), (lon, lat), or by 3 Euler angles. Additionally, the boresights can be modified using a click and drag of
the mouse. Users can specify thickness, style, color and labeling of all plotted objects.
Complement your other software
File import/export capabilities. SATSOFT work files can be shared with other SATSOFT users. Performance tables can be exported
in tab delimited format for use with Excel. Antenna patterns and station grids are compatible with other popular formats such
as GRASP, POS and GXT (ITU's graphics exchange format). Antenna patterns can be filed electronically with the ITU.
Antenna patterns can also be output in ASCII format for import into
STK/Communications.
SATSOFT is also compatible with legacy CPLAN work files, pattern files, and polygon files.
Scalable graphics output
SATSOFT can also export the graphics display in scaleable vector graphics for use in popular in desktop applications and/or
presentations. Contours and coverage polygons can be accurately digitized with any Windows compatible tablet. No special drivers are required.
Expand your analysis capabilities
SATSOFT/Pro provides additional features, enabling sophisticated antenna designers engineer to:
- Synthesize multiple shaped beams simultaneously using any antenna model or imported component beam file
- Satellite pointing error degradation and polygon expansion tools
- Design shaped beams to service a coverage area from multiple orbit slots
- SATSOFT/AR provides an analytical model of an offset reflector. The directivity is determined by PO integration of an on-focus feed. Scan aberration and cross-pol are neglected.
- SATSOFT/PAM provides an analytic model of a rectangular array fed by a Butler or Nolan Matrix with cosr element pattern. Rectangular and triangular element lattices supported.
- SATSOFT/PL produces optimized sets of coverage polygons for creating constant flux multi-beam antenna designs.
- SATSOFT/PO provides a vector reflector modeling program that uses the physical optics method to produce far-field predictions of directivity and cross-pol. Linear and circular polarization along with single and dual-mode feed models are supported.
- SATSOFT/DMO provides a dual-mode optimizer for multi-beam antenna designs that must accommodate a non-contiguous output multiplexer. Feed excitations are constrained to be orthogonal in order to support a lossless network realization.