Low-cost, planar and wideband phased array with integrated balun and matching network for wide-angle scanning

Abstract

With space at a premium, there is strong interest to develop a single ultra wideband (UWB) phased array capable of concurrently supporting communications, electronic warfare and radar functions. Recent focus on conformal designs present new challenges on wideband apertures which typically transform into narrowband or multiband configurations when placed on a ground plane. Therefore, the design of low-cost phased array apertures that are concurrently broadband and low-profile ( high /2) has been a continuing challenge.