Abstract
This paper presents a flat, high gain, wide scanning, broadband continuous transverse stub (CTS) array. The design procedure, the fabrication, and an exhaustive antenna characterization are described in details. The array comprises 16 radiating slots and is fed by a corporate-feed network in hollow parallel plate waveguide (PPW) technology. A pillbox-based linear source illuminates the corporate network and allows for beam steering. The antenna is designed by using an ad hoc mode matching code recently developed for CTS arrays, providing design guidelines. The assembly technique ensures the electrical contact among the various stages of the network without using any electromagnetic choke and any bonding process. The main beam of the antenna is mechanically steered over ±40° in elevation, by moving a compact horn within the focal plane of the pillbox feeding system. Excellent performances are achieved. The features of the beam are stable within the design 27.5-31 GHz band and beyond, in the entire Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz). An antenna gain of about 29 dBi is measured at broadside at 29.25 GHz and scan losses lower than 2 dB are reported at ±40°. The antenna efficiency exceeds 80% in the whole scan range. The very good agreement between measurements and simulations validates the design procedure. The proposed design is suitable for Satcom Ka-band terminals in moving platforms, e.g., trains and planes, and also for mobile ground stations, as a multibeam sectorial antenna.
Highlights
T HE WORLDWIDE increasing demand for broadband satellite communication systems has led to the deployment of satellite constellations in Ka-band and development of novel user terminals for fixed and moving users [1]
The masks for the radiated beams are prescribed by the standards of European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), depending on the operating country and satellite operator
The main beam can be steered in the H-plane up to ±40◦ with scan losses of the order of 2 dB
Summary
T HE WORLDWIDE increasing demand for broadband satellite communication systems has led to the deployment of satellite constellations in Ka-band and development of novel user terminals for fixed and moving users [1]. This feed network matches the active impedance of the CTS array to the input PPW. The CTS array is designed to steer its beam only in the H-plane (yz-plane in Fig. 1), i.e., where the long side of the slots lies In this plane, no grating lobes can occur for array periodicity lower than the free-space wavelength. A two-section Chebyshev transformer is proposed to obtain a wide band matching between the slot active impedance and the corporate-feed network
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
