Compact 2 × 2 Circularly Polarized Aperture-Coupled Antenna Array for Ka-Band Satcom-on-the-Move Applications

This paper presents a novel design of wideband circular polarization 2 × microstrip antenna array working at Ka-band frequencies, from 27.5 to 31 GHz. module is highly integrable with new silicon beamformer chips, creating unit cell that can be part large electronically steerable for compact, ultra-low-profile, Satcom-on-the-move (SOTM) platforms. A multi-layer structure fabricated in standard printed circuit board (PCB) technology high-yield substrates has been used. The radiating elements consist double-stacked patches housed cavity and fed by H-shaped aperture coupling. It achieves bandwidth 16.5 % wide beam-width 95° the desired band, which necessary scanning angles phased array. In cell, are distributed means sequential rotation technique where separation between two them 5.3 mm XY-plane. Broadside beam-widths ranging 53.4° GHz 42.1° achieved, boresight directivities 10.7 12.9 dBi, respectively, both RHCP LHCP polarization. Moreover, mutual coupling levels below −20 dB an axial ratio less than 3 whole band guarantee good purity.