Design, implementation, and measurements of a novel broadband dual-polarized patch array in Ku band for polarimetric SAR systems

Abstract

A novel compact broadband and dual-polarized Ku-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) antenna with a high level of isolation between polarizations has been developed by INTA Radar Laboratory as an advanced sensor for the QUASAR project, which involves INTA new SAR developments for small platforms and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The antenna design is composed by a 4 × 8 dual-polarized square patch array fed through a very efficient and novel structure based on a cross-shape slot to achieve a large bandwidth and overall to achieve an excellent isolation between polarizations needed in a polarimetric system such as the one INTA has developed. Finally, the antenna must be placed inside a pod which is going to be placed under the UAV wings, so the antenna must be lightweight, robust, and with small size. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 53:2537–2543, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26313