Focused Connected Array Antenna as a Broadband Beam-Steering Feed for Quasi-Optical System

Pascual Laguna, A.; Cavallo, D.; Baselmans, J.J.A.; Llombart, Nuria

doi:10.1109/TAP.2022.3142291

Focused Connected Array Antenna as a Broadband Beam-Steering Feed for Quasi-Optical System

Title

Focused Connected Array Antenna as a Broadband Beam-Steering Feed for Quasi-Optical System

Author

Pascual Laguna, A. (TU Delft Tera-Hertz Sensing)
Cavallo, D. (TU Delft Tera-Hertz Sensing)
Baselmans, J.J.A. (TU Delft Tera-Hertz Sensing)
Llombart, Nuria (TU Delft Tera-Hertz Sensing)

Date

2022

Abstract

This communication proposes a broadband and efficient integrated focal plane array solution based on a near-field focused connected array of slots. The focused aperture provides: 1) broadband and highly efficient illumination of the quasi-optical system and 2) scanning capabilities within a focusing system. The connected array antenna in turn allows for a fully integrated solution that can synthesize a focused aperture while providing broadband impedance matching. Focused connected array antennas enable the coupling to a reflector system over bandwidths in excess of one octave and with aperture efficiencies in excess of 60%. To demonstrate the concept, we present two printed circuit board (PCB) prototypes operating in the band 3-6 GHz and yielding more than 60% reflector aperture efficiency under broadside illumination and allowing to scan one beamwidth at the lowest frequency with a frequency-averaged scan loss of 0.2 dB. The feasibility of scaling this concept to THz frequencies and with dynamic beam-steering capabilities is discussed in the context of a superconducting device.

Subject

Aperture antennas
aperture efficiency
Apertures
Broadband antennas
broadband array
Broadband communication
connected array
focused aperture
Focusing
Lenses
near-field
Reflector antennas
scanning