Work

Focused Connected Array Antenna as a Broadband Beam-Steering Feed for Quasi-Optical System

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: This communication proposes a broadband and efficient integrated focal plane array solution based on a near-field focused connected array of slots. The focused aperture provides: 1) broadband and highly efficient illumination of the quasi-optical system and 2) scanning capabilities within a focusing system. The connected array antenna in turn allows for a fully integrated solution that can synthesize a focused aperture while providing broadband impedance matching. Focused connected array antennas enable the coupling to a reflector system over bandwidths in excess of one octave and with aperture efficiencies in excess of 60%. To demonstrate the concept, we present two printed circuit board (PCB) prototypes operating in the band 3–6 GHz and yielding more than 60% reflector aperture efficiency under broadside illumination and allowing to scan one beamwidth at the lowest frequency with a frequency-averaged scan loss of 0.2 dB. The feasibility of scaling this concept to THz frequencies and with dynamic beam-steering capabilities is discussed in the context of a superconducting device.

Source: IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

DOI: 10.1109/tap.2022.3142291

Authors: Alejandro Pascual Laguna, Daniele Cavallo, Jochem J. A. Baselmans, Nuria Llombart

Institutions: Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Delft University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Antenna Design and Analysis

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Research Council

Awards: G2551137471, G3930980220