Internship | Design of phased array in E-Band SATCOM

About this position

Future satellite communication systems need to transmit increasingly large amounts of data. Moving towards higher frequencies, such as E-band, can provide the required capacity, but it also creates new challenges for antenna design. The antennas must generate highly directional beams, scan over a wide angular range and operate efficiently despite the losses associated with these frequencies.

This internship focuses on the development of a novel antenna array for future E-band satellite communication systems. You will work with our antenna research team to investigate different array technologies and identify promising solutions for efficient, wide-angle beam scanning. Your work will contribute to the development of advanced antenna systems that can support future high-capacity satellite links.

You will be part of a collaborative research environment where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are welcomed and you will have the opportunity to further develop your expertise in antenna design and electromagnetic simulation.

During this internship, you will investigate and compare different phased-array antenna technologies suitable for E-band satellite communications. You will assess their expected performance and explore the main trade-offs related to efficiency, scanning range, complexity and practical implementation. Based on this analysis, you will select one or more promising concepts and design antenna elements that can operate efficiently while supporting a wide beam-scanning range.

You will use electromagnetic software simulators (e.g. Ansys HFSS or CST studio suite) to model, simulate and optimize the proposed designs.

• Reviewing relevant antenna-array technologies and design approaches
• Defining performance requirements and comparison criteria
• Modelling and comparing suitable array concepts
• Designing and optimizing wide-scanning antenna elements in CST
• Evaluating parameters such as efficiency, impedance matching, radiation pattern and scanning performance
• Documenting the results and presenting recommendations for further development

The exact focus of the assignment can be refined together based on your interests, background and the results obtained during the first stages of the internship. By the end of the internship, you will have developed practical experience in antenna-array design, electromagnetic simulation, technical decision-making and the communication of research results. Your findings will support the selection and development of antenna technologies for future satellite communication systems.

This internship is in the framework of a project between TNO and Viasat.

For this internship, we are looking for a university student pursuing a M.Sc. degree with a background in electrical engineering, telecommunications, applied physics or a related discipline. Knowledge of antennas, electromagnetics, microwave engineering or phased arrays will help you get started. Experience with Matlab and/or Python, Ansys HFSS and/or CST studio suite or the motivation to quickly develop them. It helps if you bring good communication skills, result driven attitude, and focused in problem solving, but we are happy to support you in developing areas you want to learn more about.

What matters most is that you are motivated to develop these skills and are interested in applying theoretical knowledge to a practical antenna‑design challenge. The intended duration of the internship is 9 months, with some flexibility depending on the requirements of your study program.

An internship at TNO means working in an environment where substance and impact are central. You will become part of a knowledge organisation where research and practice come together, and where experts collaborate on solutions to current societal and technological challenges. Your internship is a period in which you can discover what suits you, where your strengths lie and what you would like to learn next.

You are part of a professional working environment, gain insight into how things work in practice, and have the opportunity to build experience that goes beyond…