A compact filtering mechanism in the antenna system is required to avoid unwanted incoming electromagnetic waves in the working frequency band. A circularly polarized (CP), wideband, and high gain antenna array co-design with a wide bandpass filter (BPF) for a K-band satellite application at (17.7 to 21.2) GHz is studied in this paper. Antenna array elements with diagonal slots and BPF in the same frequency are compatible. For maximum radiation efficiency, the input impedance of the slotted 16 × 16 elements antenna array is matched to 50 Ω and equal to the output impedance of the BPF in the operating band. To implement the filtering concept, a co-design is modeled and simulated. The suggested wideband BPF and antenna array are integrated on a combined aperture, manufactured, and tested experimentally. Based on the results of the tests, it can be concluded that the suggested filtering antenna array is well matched (|S11| < −15 dB) throughout a wide frequency band of 17.7 GHz to 21.2 GHz. The final structure simulated and measured 3 dB axial ratio covers the functional spectrum with a maximum 25.3 dBi gain. High directive beams with a 20 dB cross-polarization suppression level in E & H planes are simulated and measured. Due to these advantages, the suggested antenna is an attractive option for use in K-band 3U satellite applications to minimize the requirement for extra filtering circuits in the RF system.
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