In-band dual-polarization RCS reduction of waveguide slot array antenna integrated with AMC and PEC chessboard structure

Abstract

An in-band low radar cross section (RCS) waveguide slot array antenna (WSAA) is proposed by using a chessboard structure composed of artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) and perfect electric conductor (PEC), which serves as the antenna radiator. The method for RCS reduction is the reflection energy cancellation. Standing wave array is used to achieve higher energy efficiency and more compact antenna structure. Experimental results show that the in-band monostatic RCS is sufficiently reduced with the chessboard structure application for both co- and cross-polarized incident waves, where 10-dB RCS compression is realized among the frequency range of 9.7–9.91 GHz for co-polarization and 9.5–9.85 GHz for cross-polarization with maximum RCS reductions of −13.3 dB and −11.9 dB, respectively. Meanwhile, the designed WSAA maintains the high gain characteristics of the original WSAA. The paper provides a simple, practical and effective strategy for stable RCS compression in the operation band of waveguide antenna array, which has potential applications in stealth platforms.