Extreme Scanning Double Shaped-Reflector Antenna With Multiple Interactions for Focal Plane Array Applications

Abstract

A new type of focal plane array (FPA) reflector antenna concept is proposed with a very wide field-of-view over a wide bandwidth (20–40 GHz) for ground terminals for Ka -band satellite communication and multifunction radars. The proposed concept maximizes the percentage of active array elements up to 90% within the required scanning range of ±10° along the azimuthal plane. It combines the advantages of phased arrays in terms of wide-angle scanning and of FPA systems in terms of high antenna gain. This FPA system achieves a 15 dB higher antenna gain as compared to a phased array with a size equal to the feed array of the proposed reflector system. Based on a minimum required 80% aperture efficiency at 30 GHz, the illuminated array region is increased by a factor of 200 as compared to traditional prime-focus configurations. In addition, the FPA configuration significantly reduces the required overall array size by a factor of 1.5 as compared to conventional double-parabolic reflector configurations. Moreover, the scanning capabilities have been significantly improved as compared to classical prime-focus and double-parabolic reflectors. Since a large part of the array is active, we can obtain high effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP).