Center Feed Single Layer Slotted Waveguide Array

Abstract

A center feed configuration is newly introduced to enhance the bandwidth as well as to suppress the frequency dependent beam squinting in single layer slotted waveguide arrays. A multiple-way power divider consisting of cross-junctions is installed at the center of the aperture in an alternating-phase fed waveguide slot array to reduce the long line effect in the radiating waveguide. Each radiating slot is equipped with an inductive wall for reflection canceling, which dispenses with the beam tilting technique for suppressing cumulative reflection and assures the boresight beam. All these are equipped in single layer and are potential for low cost mass-production as is usual the case with alternating phase-fed arrays. The test antenna is fabricated at 26GHz band for FWA system. A 30.5 dBi gain with 46% efficiency with the main beam staying in the boresight is obtained. The sidelobes of -9.5 dB associated with the aperture blockage for the center feed is suppressed to below -14.7 dB at the design frequency, by applying a genetic algorithm for controlling the slot excitation