High Gain Linearly Polarized 1D Beam Scanning Array Antenna based on Gap Waveguide Technology

Abstract

This paper presents a feed network for a high gain array antenna capable of 1D beam scanning up to 60 degrees without grating lobes. The feed network uses a layered design where the use of gap waveguide technology enables the layers to be assembled without good electrical contact. Each layer constitute one section of a vertical corporate feed network ending in a horizontal series feed, allowing for a compact design and integration of electronic components inside the antenna. To enable this, a periodic pin structure has been designed together with two vertical power dividers, one in ridge gap waveguide and one from microstrip to ridge gap waveguide. The structure is designed for Ka-band at 27.5-30 GHz and results show a 10 dB return loss bandwidth of 10 %. The array size is 40x8 elements which fits in a volume of 59.2x242.9x13.1 mm, while the boresight realized gain is 28 dBi.