Planar $Ku$-Band 4$\,\times\,$4 Nolen Matrix in SIW Technology

Abstract

In this paper, a 4 × 4 Nolen matrix beam-forming network for multibeam antenna applications is designed and demonstrated at 12.5-GHz center frequency. The structure is implemented using substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology for its attractive advantages including compact size, low loss, light weight, and planar form well suitable for high-density integration with other microwave and millimeter-wave planar integrated circuits. SIW cruciform couplers are used as fundamental building blocks for their wide range of coupling factors and their specific topology well adapted to the serial feeding topology of a Nolen matrix. The network performances are investigated over a 500-MHz frequency bandwidth ranging from 12.25 to 12.75 GHz. The matrix definition based on SIW cruciform couplers is similar to its microstrip counterpart in terms of coupling factors and phase delays. The whole network is fabricated. Measured results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions, thus validating the proposed design concept. Using this matrix with a four radiating elements array antenna enables us to investigate the impact of the proposed matrix on the beam pointing angles versus frequency.