Design of polyrod antenna having isoflux radiation characteristic for satellite communication systems

Abstract

In satellite communication, link margin and therefore antenna radiation characteristics are key factors to ensure providing a robust communication link between space and ground segment. For telemetry/telecommand and payload data transfer, isoflux antennas are employed widely in satellite communication systems to direct electromagnetic wave efficiently. To decrease complexity and manufacturing cost, simple antenna structures are preferred. In this study, after a detailed literature survey, a polyrod antenna has been designed to use in the space segment of Low Earth Orbit satellite communication subsystem. The proposed polyrod antenna has maximum gain at about 600 elevation angle of the antenna. Moreover, its impedance bandwidth is 750MHz (11%) that is fairly adequate to use in high data rate transmitters. By using CST Microwave StudioTM which is a commercially available 3-D electromagnetic time-domain solver, directivity, gain, axial ratio for elevation plane at X-Band, and return loss characteristic have been presented. Based on the obtained results, the designed polyrod antenna can be used where a conical shaped beam radiation pattern is needed.