Design of wideband circularly polarized aperture-coupled microstripantennas

Two variations of a novel feeding technique for a wideband circularly polarized aperture-coupled microstrip antenna are described. Prototype designs for wideband linearly polarized elements are first presented, and then used for circularly polarized designs. Techniques used for design of the feed network are detailed, for both series feed and parallel feed versions. Experimental results are shown for each antenna, and results for the two designs are compared. The impedance and axial ratio bandwidths for these antennas are among the best yet achieved for microstrip antenna elements. Several design variations are also discussed     

Low-cost, high-efficiency quasi-planar array of waveguide-fed circularly polarized microstrip antennas

A low-cost quasiplanar Ku-band array of circularly polarized microstrip antennas benefiting from a low-loss waveguide feed network is demonstrated (patent pending). The 32 elements of the array which are arranged in a 2-by-16 configuration are subdivided into four two-by-four subarrays. To maintain feed losses and thus the overall noise temperature at a minimum, the subarrays are excited using a one-by-four corporate feed network of hollow metallic waveguides. This network is composed of E-plane components such as Tee-junctions and bends and is manufactured out of only two metallic pieces that accommodate the feed network in the form of milled grooves. Because of insensitivity of the exploited E-plane components to air gaps or slight misalignments, the pieces are secured together with only four screws without welding, braising, or conducting adhesives. Owing to a low-loss foam substrate, the array elements show high circular polarization gain of 9 dBic and wide relative bandwidth of 4%. To achieve circular polarization, use is made of circular patches with two nearly perpendicular perturbations. Using sequential rotation of the elements along with quadrature phase shifting, the axial ratio of the array is reduced to 1 dB over 4% of bandwidth. The measured circular polarization gain of the array amounts to 23 dBic with an aperture efficiency of 63% in the Ku-band of frequencies. The achieved efficiency, which is higher than the reported efficiency for comparable planar arrays with microstrip feed networks, can be credited to the low losses of only 0.2 dB in its waveguide corporate feed. The paper also presents measurement results for an arrangement of two inclined single arrays mounted in parallel. This configuration which has a measured circular polarization gain of 25.7 dBic with an axial ratio of 1 dB is desirable for mobile low-profile antenna systems.     

一种新型布局的圆极化微带天线阵优化设计

提出了一款高增益低副瓣新型圆极化微带天线阵。单元天线采用叠层切角圆极化微带结构,通过八边形边界布局和顺序旋转交叠组阵技术,实现了天线阵方向性图的对称性和圆极化辐射性能的最优化;馈电网络采用威尔金森功分器和最大平坦式阻抗变换器实现不等功分宽带阻抗匹配,通过改进馈电方向寻求对称结构,简化了馈电网络的设计。制作了天线阵实物并进行了测量。测试结果表明:天线在3.2~4.6 GHz频段内S₁₁<-10 dB,阻抗相对带宽36%;在3.8~4.5 GHz频段内顶点轴比小于3 dB,圆极化相对带宽17%;在4~4.4 GHz频段内天线增益均在15 dB以上,最高增益达17 dB。     

Circularly Polarized Linear Array Antenna Using a Dielectric Image Line

A new circularly polarized antenna using a dielectric image line is proposed. This antenna is composed of a slotted conductive plane and a rectangular dielectric rod. This paper describes the design of and experimental results achieved with the circularly polarized array antenna fed by a dielectric image line. The fundemental characteristics of the image line are also presented. Since this line's losses are far lower than the microstrip line losses in the millimeter wavebands, antenna feed line losses expect to be also very low. Bandwidth within the 2-dB axial ratio was more than 7 percent, and the angle range within the same ratio was more than +-7.8 degrees at 29.5 GHz. This antenna is far superior to the microstrip line feed array antenna in the millimeter wavebands.     

Circularly polarised microstrip antenna array using proximitycoupled feed

A 2×2 circularly polarised (CP) microstrip antenna array using a proximity coupled feed and sequential rotation is described. As compared with a previously presented single-element circularly polarised microstrip antenna with a cross-slot, the new array achieves a much wider impedance bandwidth of 11.18% and has an axial ratio bandwidth of 4.1%. The return loss, radiation patterns and axial ratio of the antenna array were measured and are presented     

64 单元X 波段高增益圆极化微带阵列天线设计

采用双层矩形贴片加切角的结构设计圆极化单元,并将其组成应用于X 波段64 单元高增益圆极化微带阵列天线。天线基板采用Taconic-TRF,介电常数4. 5,厚度0. 81mm,损耗角正切0. 0035。利用Ansoft HF-SS 软件对单元及阵列模型进行仿真优化。通过实际测试,64 单元阵列天线轴比AR<6dB 的带宽500MHz,增益达到21. 2dB,S11 <-10dB 的相对阻抗带宽达到6. 9%,天线具有良好的圆极化和阻抗匹配特性。圆极化天线具有较强的抗干扰能力,可很好地应用于电子侦察、电子对抗等领域。设计的圆极化微带阵列天线为组成更大阵列的天线以及构建相控阵天线提供了单元基础。     

Single-feed circularly polarized microstrip ring antenna and arrays

An analysis is presented for a microstrip-feed proximity-coupled ring antenna and a four-element array. Interactions between the embedded microstrip feed and the radiating element(s) are rigorously included. Results demonstrate that circular polarization of both senses can be achieved with a ring antenna with proper design of two inner stubs located at angles of ±45° with respect to the feedline. Theory and experiment demonstrate an axial ratio 3-dB bandwidth of 1% and the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) <2 bandwidth of 6.1%. The axial ratio bandwidth is typical for a microstrip antenna with perturbations, while the VSWR bandwidth is larger than for the circular or rectangular patch with perturbations. A mutual coupling study between two elements shows that the axial ratio is less than 2 dB for interelement spacing greater than 0.55λ_eff, while the VSWR <2 for all spacings considered. A comparison between theory and experiment is provided for a 2×2 element array. The benefits of sequentially rotating the antenna elements in an array environment are presented. The axial ratio and VSWR bandwidths are both increased to 6.1% and 18% for a four-element array. A single-element antenna with two orthogonal feeds to provide both senses of polarization is demonstrated. The ring antenna is small (D/λ₀=0.325), the substrate thickness is thin (H/λ₀~0.035), and the microstrip feed produces a completely planar antenna system, which is compatible with microwave and millimeter integrated circuits (MICs), and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs)     

Ka频段宽带圆极化微带天线

面向Ka频段高通量卫星对天线的需求,设计了一种Ka频段宽带圆极化微带天线.天线单元主要由圆形辐射贴片和缝隙耦合馈电结构组成,通过两个类T形缝隙结合实现宽带圆极化.天线仅有三层金属层,结构简单.仿真结果显示,天线单元的相对阻抗带宽为31.5%(25.1～34.5 GHz),相对3 dB轴比带宽为20.3%(26.5～32.5 GHz).由于单元尺寸较小,不便于对其性能进行验证,因此利用该天线单元组成2×2天线阵列,并进行加工测试.仿真与试验结果表明,天线阵列阻抗带宽以及3 dB轴比带宽可以覆盖25.6～33.1 GHz频率范围,实测结果与仿真结果一致性良好.     

低剖面宽带圆极化天线阵列

基于双馈双线极化微带天线,结合威尔金森功分器、T形结功分器及顺序旋转馈电的优点,设计了一种新型低剖面宽带圆极化2×2天线阵列。把辐射贴片和馈电网络集成在同一介质层,有效地利用了介质空间,降低了天线的剖面,增加了天线的带宽。4个天线单元顺序旋转90°,利用一分四T形结功分器给4个单元等幅、相位依次相差90°馈电。根据Ansoft''s HFSS仿真结果,制作了样机。样机实测结果和仿真结果吻合。实测结果表明,该天线阵驻波带宽可以达到27.78%,3-dB轴比带宽可以达到52%,最大增益为14.19 dB。     

A technique for an array to generate circular polarization with linearly polarized elements

A method is presented for generating circularly polarized radiation from an array composed of linearly polarized elements having unique angular and phase arrangements. With this technique the complexity, weight, and RF loss of the array feed can be significantly reduced, especially in a large array. This uniquely formed array has the capability of generating excellent circular polarization (CP) over a relatively wide frequency bandwidth. In addition, the array is capable of scanning its main beam in the principal planes to relatively wide angles from its broadside direction without serious degradation to its CP quality. Another feature of this uniquely arranged array is a reduction in the occurrence of mutual coupling. The discussion in this paper places special emphasis on the microstrip type of radiator, although the technique presented can be adapted to most types of linearly polarized antenna elements.     

一种天线馈源用宽带孔径耦合层叠微带贴片阵的设计

介绍了一种宽带孔径耦合层叠微带辐射单元的工作原理,着重分析了该辐射单元主要结构尺寸对其阻抗带宽的影响。该辐射单元阻抗带宽（VSWR≤2：1）在S波段达到了30％以上。作为某抛物反射面天线的馈源,由4个该辐射单元组成四单元微带贴片天线阵后,其性能满足天线系统要求。     

一种透射型线-圆极化转换超表面的设计及应用

提出了一种单对角线开缝的方形单元构成的透射型极化旋转超表面,并将其应用于宽带圆极化微带缝隙天线的设计中。采用等效电路法分析了超表面实现线-圆极化转换的工作机制,并对天线圆极化带宽的影响因素进行了参数扫描。仿真结果表明:加载超表面使线极化微带缝隙天线产生了圆极化辐射;同时,扩展了天线的阻抗带宽。天线相对阻抗带宽达到了33.2%,3 dB轴比带宽达到了19.5%,在阻抗带宽内天线增益均高于6.8 dBi,证实了新型超表面结构具有良好的极化旋转特性。     

A dual polarized aperture coupled circular patch antenna using a C-shaped coupling slot

The design and development of a dual linearly polarized aperture coupled circular microstrip patch antenna at C-band are presented. The antenna uses a novel configuration of symmetric and asymmetric coupling slots. Variations in isolation between orthogonal feedlines and antenna axial ratio with the position of coupling slots are studied and broadband isolation and axial ratio are achieved. The prototype antenna yields 7.6 dBi peak gain, 70/spl deg/ 3-dB beam width, 25 dB cross-polarization levels and an isolation better than 28 dB between the two ports. With an external quadrature hybrid coupler connected to the two orthogonal feedlines, the antenna yields 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth of more than 30% at 5.8 GHz.     

新型X波段圆极化介质谐振器天线

提出了一种工作于X波段的新型圆极化矩形介质谐振器天线。该天线是一块矩形介质谐振器嵌入到介质基板中并通过U型微带线激励。天线的接地面采用缺陷地的结构,可以通过调节该缺陷地对角的大小来产生2个正交模式实现圆极化,有效解决了一些圆极化天线馈电网络复杂的缺点。所设计天线的阻抗带宽为8.88~10.22 GHz。天线的轴比带宽为9.56~9.92 GHz,可应用于卫星广播、航空无线电导航业务和无线电定位。     

Circularly polarized antenna array with a new sequential phase feed network utilizing directional coupler

This is a presentation of a new design of circularly polarized (CP) antenna array having a wide axial ratio (AR) bandwidth and high-gain. It uses an innovative feed network which consists of compact directional couplers and a delay line describing a new kind of sequential phase (SP) feed network. Furthermore, in this work, we report and discuss the features of the feed network and single element. In the following, the single element antenna and the 2 × 2 CP antenna array are designed, prototyped and tested. The antenna array is designed by a multilayer microstrip structure with a compact size of 75 × 52 mm². Moreover, a metal reflector is utilized to enhance the antenna gain and achieve a unidirectional radiation pattern over the operating frequency band. According to the experimental results, the CP antenna array has a return loss (RL) bandwidth of 2.42 GHz (5.83–8.25 GHz), AR bandwidth of 1.11 GHz (6.76–7.87 GHz), and peak gain of 12.15 dBic. It seems that the performance of the proposed design is admirable for C-band frequency.     

一种新型UHF RFID阅读器圆极化天线

传统的圆极化阅读器天线采用单馈电微带天线方式设计,频带窄、极化特性较差。在单馈电微带天线的基础上,采用探针馈电曲线贴片的方式,在圆形铁片上开了4个对称的方形缝隙,最终设计出一种新型的UHF RFID圆极化阅读器天线。天线的结构尺寸为167.5 mm×167.5 mm×3 mm,阻抗带宽为870~936 MHz,3 dB轴比带宽为900~918 MHz,最大增益为3.5 dB。与传统的圆极化阅读器天线相比,设计的天线频带宽,且极化特性得到良好改善,能够满足工程上的应用需求。     

毫米波圆极化单脉冲阵列天线的研究

在腔模理论基础上分析了单阵元圆极化微带贴片天线,研究了圆极化微带阵列天线的设计方法,采用相位旋转法设计了中心频率为35.75GHz的64元圆极化微带阵列天线与平面和差结构,使天线和和差馈电处于一个平面.利用Ansoft公司的HFSS软件进行了仿真优化.经过对天线实物的测试,此天线提供了21dB的增益,具有良好的轴比和驻波比,差波束零值深度大于20dB.     

Subreflectarrays for Reflector Surface Distortion Compensation

With the increasing interest in the applications of large deployable reflector antennas operating at high frequencies, the requirement on the reflector surface accuracy becomes more demanding. Thermal effects inevitably cause certain reflector surface distortions, thus degrading the overall antenna performance. This paper introduces a novel reflector surface distortion compensation technique using a subreflectarray and presents detailed discussions. A microstrip reflectarray is used as a subreflector, illuminated by a primary feed. By properly adjusting the additional phase shift provided by the subreflectarray, the aperture phase errors caused by the main reflector surface distortions are compensated, resulting in a considerably improved antenna performance. As an example, a distorted 20-m offset parabolic reflector antenna operating at X-band is successfully compensated by a subreflectarray, and the simulation results are compared with those obtained by array feed and shaped subreflector compensation techniques. The microstrip subreflectarray is low-profile, lightweight, and cost-effective. Only one primary feed is required, and a reconfigurable design can be achieved if electronically reconfigurable reflectarray elements are adopted.      

Circularly polarised patch antenna array using proximity-coupledL-strip line feed

A microstrip antenna array for circular polarisation (CP) using a proximity L-strip line feed is proposed and experimentally investigated. By placing a cross-slot with unequal slot lengths on the circular patch, circular polarisation can be excited. Also, a sequential rotation technique is adopted for the design of this CP antenna array to widen the bandwidth. The impedance and axial ratio bandwidth values are 78 and 16.15%, respectively. The boresight axial ratio is 0.4 dB at 1.91 GHz     

Scanning characteristics of infinite arrays of printed antennasubarrays

The analysis and scanning characteristics of several different types of infinite arrays composed of subarrayed printed dipole and microstrip patch elements are presented. The analysis is based on full-wave moment method theory, and includes mutual coupling between elements in the subarray as well as between subarrays. The effect of subarraying on scan blindness is demonstrated for arrays using two-element subarrays of printed dipoles and microstrip patches. Results are also given for the amount of power radiated in grating lobes. The effect of a subarray composed of one driven element and one parasitic element, and the use of a four-element synchronous subarray of microstrip patches to generate circular polarization are also considered. Data are given for impedance mismatch, power radiated into grating lobes, and the axial ratio; both square and rectangular patches area considered. Results are also shown for an infinite array of seven-element hexagonal subarrays of printed dipoles, and it is found that the large spacing between subarrays leads to a limited scan range