Work

A High-Performance Ka-Band Cylindrical Conformal Transceiver Phased Array with Full-Azimuth Scanning Capability

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper presents a Ka-band cylindrical conformal transceiver active phased array (CCTAPA) with a full-azimuth scanning gain fluctuation of 0.8 dB and low power consumption. The array comprises 20 panels of 4 × 4 antenna elements, RF beam-control circuits, a Wilkinson power divider network, and frequency converters. The proposed three-subarray architecture enables ±9° beam scanning with minimal gain degradation. By dynamically switching subarrays and transceiver channels across azimuthal directions, the array achieves full 360° coverage with low gain fluctuation and power consumption. Fabrication and testing demonstrate a gain fluctuation of 0.8 dB, equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) between 50.6 and 51.3 dBm, and a gain-to-noise-temperature ratio (G/T) ranging from −8 dB/K to −8.5 dB/K at 28.5 GHz. The RF power consumption remains below 8.73 W during full-azimuth scanning. This design is particularly suitable for airborne platforms requiring full-azimuth coverage with stringent power budgets.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app15168982

Authors: Weiwei Liu, Shiqiao Zhang, Anxue Zhang, Wenchao Chen

Institutions: Xi'an Jiaotong University, Beijing Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: Antenna Design and Optimization

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896