Realizable feed-element patterns and optimum aperture efficiency inmultibeam antenna systems

The results of an earlier paper by Y. Rahmat-Samii et al. (ibid., vol.AP-29, pp.961-3, 1981), regarding realizable patterns from feed elements that are part of an array that feeds a reflector antenna, are extended. The earlier paper used a cos^q &thetas; model for the element radiation pattern, whereas here a parametric study is performed, using a model that assumes a central beam of cos^q &thetas; shape, with a constant sidelobe level outside the central beam. Realizable q-values are constrained by the maximum directivity based on feed element area. The optimum aperture efficiency (excluding array feed network losses) in an array-reflector system is evaluated as a function of element spacing using this model as well as the model of the earlier paper. Experimental data for tapered slot antenna arrays are in agreement with the conclusions based on the model     

Preliminary Investigations of a Low-Cost Ultrawideband Array Concept

A design concept is presented that achieves ultra wideband (UWB) array performance with significantly fewer elements than the traditional approach of using a single wideband antenna element type to fully populate the array. Starting from a conventional 8:1 bandwidth array design of a given aperture size, an array of equivalent aperture and bandwidth is created using scaled elements of three different sizes. This wavelength-scaled equivalent array has fewer than 18% of the original element count, i.e., roughly 6-times fewer elements, a similar reduction in weight, and most importantly, a significant reduction in electronics required to feed the array. If proven viable, array architectures of this type could make UWB arrays significantly more cost effective. In this preliminary numerical study, rigorous full-wave simulation tools are used to test the performance of small but informative wavelength-scaled array configurations of flared-notch radiators for the single-polarization case.      

Dual-band dual polarised printed antenna element

A novel printed antenna element capable of providing dual polarised operation over two widely separated frequency bands is described. The element consists of a perforated proximity-fed microstrip patch antenna operating at the lower frequency, layered over a subarray of aperture coupled microstrip elements operating at the upper frequency. Results for a specific example operating at L and X bands (a frequency ratio of 8:1) are presented. The impedance bandwidth for both bands is >6%, with isolation within bands >20 dB and isolation between bands >40 dB. The element and feed network also has the advantage of being compact enough to be used in arrays, providing dual polarised dual-band operation from a single low-profile aperture     

A self-matching wideband feed network for microstrip arrays

A novel technique for feeding microstrip antenna arrays is proposed. It consists of a microstrip feed network designed to operate in dual standing and traveling-wave modes and provide uniform excitation to its elements with either mode. It, therefore, produces a uniform aperture distribution, regardless of the array element input impedances. The traveling wave propagates when radiating elements are matched, but resonant standing wave prevails if loads become mismatched. Since the feed network resonance does not alter the array excitation, it can be used in combination with the radiating patch resonance to broaden the impedance bandwidth. The physical reasons for such behaviors are explained and experimental verification are provided. The generalization of the concept to large arrays is also discussed     

Focal-plane and aperture-plane heterodyne array receivers for millimeter-wave radioastronomy—A comparison

In this paper we consider the maximization of the throughput of a single large antenna, for two possible array configurations: focal plane imaging arrays and aperture plane phased arrays. We discuss trade-offs between the two types of array in terms of field of view, sampling efficiency and time to map, a source. We also discuss limits on the number of feed elements in an imaging array imposed by the deterioration in aperture efficiency off-axis.     

The tapered slot antenna-a new integrated element formillimeter-wave applications

Tapered slot antennas (TSAs) with a number of potential applications as single elements and focal plane arrays are discussed. TSAs are fabricated with photolithographic techniques and integrated in either hybrid or MMIC circuits with receiver or transmitter components. They offer considerably narrower beams than other integrated antenna elements and have high aperture efficiency and packing density as array elements. Both the circuit and radiation properties of TSAs are reviewed. Topics covered include: antenna beamwidth, directivity, and gain of single-element TSAs; their beam shape and the effect of different taper shapes; and the input impedance and the effects of using thick dielectrics. These characteristics are also given for TSA arrays as are the circuit properties of the array elements. Different array structures and their applications are also described     

反射面天线焦面场采样研究与相控阵馈源设计

为了设计高性能的相控阵馈源(phased array feed,PAF),通过反射面天线焦面场最优采样的研究,给出了PAF参数与天线口径效率之间的关系,总结了PAF的最优采样范围和单元间距,导出了PAF单元数量的计算公式.给出了一个9 m天线的PAF设计实例和性能分析,在4～7 GHz频率范围内,扫描范围为±3°时,天...     

Design of a Compact Millimeter-Wave Microstrip Antenna with Wide Bandwidth and Broad Beamwidth

Design of a novel compact millimeter-wave microstrip antenna with wide bandwidth and broad beamwidth is presented. In the structure, multiple layers and a parasitic element as well as a coupling aperture are used to achieve wideband, while a conducting cylinder and the coupling aperture are used to obtain broad beamwidth. Finally, phased array with eight present elements has been designed as an example. Compared to traditional microstrip antennas and arrays, present antenna and array are of smaller dimension and broader beamwidth as well as wider bandwidth.     

Gaussian beam techniques for illuminating reflector antennas

Simple design procedures are presented for use when a Gaussian beam is used to illuminate a classical reflector antenna. Displacement of the location of the beamwaist toward the focusing element in the case of electrically small antennas where the aperture is in the near field of the feed was calculated together with modification of the required beamwaist radius. Dual reflector antennas were discussed and design procedures appropriate for systems with large and small focal length to diameter ratio developed. Cases where a reflector or subreflector is electrically small, or in the near field of a feed, are readily treated. For elliptical beam antennas, a simple illumination system using only a scalar horn and a single cylindrical lens can generally be found; this has no ray optics analogue. A configuration of this type is discussed, with a practical case study of a 28-by-80-λ elliptical Cassegrain antenna operating at a wavelength of 3 mm. The design process for designing the feed system is discussed in detail. Despite the small size and relatively large aperture blockage, an aperture efficiency of 0.48 was measured, which compared quite well with the expected efficiency of 0.53, thus verifying the validity of the Gaussian beam design approach     

Thin-film HTS planar antennas

The “H” microstrip antenna is suitable for use as an efficient small antenna when it is constructed out of superconducting thin-film materials. An aperture feed and matching network is described which provides a convenient enhancement of the capabilities of the “H” antenna. Methods of prediction of the center frequency are given. In addition, an analytical expression is developed for the far field radiation pattern of the “H” antenna and the efficiency and Q of superconducting and copper antennas are described using this expression. It is likely that superconducting antennas will only have significant application when they are used in arrays. Three arrays are described demonstrating multiband self-diplexing multifrequency-enhanced bandwidth and multifrequency beam forming     

Experiments on injection locking of active antenna elements foractive phased arrays and spatial power combiners

Two types of active antenna elements have been studied experimentally. One type uses a microstrip antenna with an active device mounted directly on the antenna. The other uses an active device coupled to a microstrip patch antenna through an aperture. Microstrip active antenna elements and two-element arrays have been demonstrated for both types of circuits. Injection locking of the antenna elements has been achieved through space and mutual coupling. The circuit Q factor was calculated based on the locking gain and the locking bandwidth. The power output from two elements has been successfully combined in free space with a combining efficiency of over 90%. For a single active antenna with a Gunn diode mounted directly on the patch, an electronic tuning range exceeding 9% has been achieved by varying the DC bias. The results should have many applications in low-cost active arrays, active transmitters, and spatial power combiners     

基于基片集成波导馈电的Ka波段渐变缝隙天线设计

在被动毫米波 (PMMW) 成像焦平面阵列 (FPA) 馈源的天线中,直线渐变缝隙天线 (LTSA) 相对于传统的喇叭天线、介质棒天线具有其独特的优势。该文优化设计了一种新型的对跖直线渐变缝隙天线 (ALTSA),通过加载超材料结构使天线的增益得到了改善,天线采用基片集成波导 (SIW) 技术进行馈电。通过仿真与测试分析,该天线在较宽的频带内具有良好的阻抗特性、较低的副瓣电平及较高且平稳的增益,所设计的天线具有较小的口径宽度,在焦平面中易于组成较为密集的馈源阵列,以提高被动毫米波成像的空间分辨率。     

A comparison of time versus frequency domain antenna patterns

This paper compares the performance of antenna arrays that use sinusoidal and ultra-short pulse waveforms. There are two parts to the paper: first, a comparison of narrowband versus ultra-wideband linear arrays using an analytic approach and second, a series of computer simulations used to extend the analytic results and to show the characteristics of nonstandard array configurations. Analysis shows that antennas using ultra-short waveforms have highly desirable pattern properties that do not appreciably degrade under conditions of high array sparsity, failed elements, or antenna element position errors. Patterns are given that show these properties directly. These results are of particular importance to the emerging technology of base-band or time-domain communications and remote sensing. It addresses the practical problem of designing extremely large aperture space-based arrays without populating those arrays densely with antenna elements and also reducing the traditional fabrication tolerances.     

一种低方向性的球形共形全向天线阵列设计

传统的球形共形天线阵列馈电网络复杂,每个天线单元需要单独馈电和控制相位,导致天线阵列效 率较低。文中提出了一种采用口径耦合馈电的单馈球面共形全向天线阵。为球形天线阵列设计了一个1 分30 的馈 电网络且直接集成在了阵列内部。这样可以通过一个端口给所有的天线单元馈电,从而降低了馈电的复杂度,提高 了天线效率。阵列的方向图在x-y 平面上是全向的。x-y 平面的增益变化小于1 dB,x-z 平面的半功率波瓣宽度约为 120°,实现了比传统全向更大的空间覆盖范围。天线的方向图最大增益为1 dBi。     

Microstrip antennas for SAR applications

This paper discusses various methods of implementing a shared-aperture dual-frequency dual-polarized array antenna for spaced-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. After evaluating the use of several potential array architecture concepts and radiating elements, a design using interlaced C-band microstrip patches and X-band printed slot elements was chosen as the best choice for the present system requirements. Layout considerations for the two arrays and their associated feed networks are addressed in terms of a practical design. A dual-frequency (C- and X-band), dual-linear polarized SAR array antenna prototype was designed, fabricated, and tested. The principal goal of this effort was to demonstrate the viability of the dual-band dual-polarized array concept, and this has been accomplished. Test results are shown with good correlation between measured and predicted results, validating the design approach used. This work demonstrates that a dual-frequency dual-polarization SAR antenna within a single aperture is a feasible approach to meeting user requirements in future SAR spacecraft     

Efficiency calculation of feed structures and optimum number of antenna elements in a subarray for highest G/T

For an antenna array, different feed structure topologies may yield the same radiation characteristics. However, different topologies may result in different efficiency and noise performance. In this paper, parallel arm antenna arrays are analyzed for efficiency and noise temperature using the noise equivalent line length method (NELL) with the number of antenna elements in a subarray as a parameter. It is shown that efficiency of an antenna array feed structure as well as its noise temperature can be calculated using the NELL method. The comparison of the two parameters, efficiency and noise temperature, yield the optimum number of antenna elements in a subarray of a parallel arm antenna array for the highest G/T ratio.     

Scalar horn with shaped lens improves Cassegrain efficiency

It is shown that the aperture efficiency of a classical Cassegrain antenna can be considerably improved if the radiation pattern of the feed is optimally shaped. The corresponding optimum field distribution Over the aperture of the feed consists of a circular main lobe which is surrounded by concentric sidelobe rings. This optimum field distribution with one sidelobe ring included is realized by shaping of a dielectric lens which is positioned in the aperture of a corrugated horn antenna. The design can provide a theoretical aperture efficiency of 90.5 percent when subreflector diffraction and aperture shadowing are neglected, i.e., an improvement of 0.4 dB compared to an optimum conventional feed. Measurements of a model at 22.8 GHz gave a practical result of 85.6 percent. If the model is used to feed a 30 m radiotelescope the overall antenna efficiency becomes about 71 percent.     

An Effective Analysis Method for Electrically Large Finite Microstrip Antenna Arrays

To improve the computation efficiency in analyzing large microstrip antenna arrays over a wide frequency band, we developed a wideband closed-form mutual impedance formula and a full wave analysis-based network method. In this method, we first divided the large but finite antenna arrays into two parts: radiating elements and feed network. The wideband closed-form mutual impedance formula was used to study the mutual interaction between radiating elements in an array environment, while the full wave analysis solver was used to analyze the feed network. These two parts were then cascaded by full wave analysis-based network method. Such an approach leads to a substantial reduction in computing time. The improved efficiency in computation means that the design optimization can now be achieved for both single antenna arrays and two large antenna arrays. To demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach, we employed two examples and compared the results obtained from the proposed approach with those from either the full wave commercial software or the commercial software and experimental results. These results were found to be in good agreement with each other.      

Optimized symmetric discrete line arrays

A generalization of Dolph's method for the synthesis of discrete antenna arrays is applied to six different symmetric line arrays. Based on these examples, it is concluded that 1) the field patterns of optimized symmetric line arrays with the same number of elements and with the same aperture are virtually indistinguishable and 2) optimized arrays with an odd number of elements are substantially better, in general, than arrays with an even number of elements.     

Synthesis of unequally spaced arrays using dynamic programming

The application of dynamic programming to the synthesis of unequally spaced symmetrical antenna arrays is further investigated. The design criterion is to obtain a combination of elements, in a quantized aperture which has the lowest value of the peak sidelobe level over a specified angular interval. A 25- element array in an aperture length of50lambdais synthesized, and it is shown that the designs obtained are considerably superior to those obtained by other investigators using different techniques.