Abstract
A new complex offset double-reflector configuration for a wideband focal plane array (FPA) is presented which is optimized for Ka-band applications with a scan range of ±20° in the azimuth plane. This configuration is obtained by using a mathematical framework based on geometrical optics which allow us to optimize complex double-reflector FPAs with limited computational effort. The proposed reflector configuration maximizes the number of simultaneously active array elements of the phased-array feed and minimizes the required total number of array elements for this wide scan range. To realize an aperture efficiency of at least 80% at 30 GHz, our concept allows half of the antenna elements in the array to be active during scanning for a scan range of ±10° and at least a quarter of the array elements to be active for a scan range of ±20°. This is a major improvement as compared to the scanning capabilities of focal-plane arrays based on conventional single- and double-parabolic reflector configurations. In addition, the FPA configuration has been optimized for wideband optical true-time-delay beamforming which requires a linear phase distribution along the array elements. We obtained a phase linearity with rms error of 2.81° at 30 GHz. The experiments from the realized prototype demonstrate a good agreement between simulation and measurements and fully prove the required scanning performance over a ±20° scan range. The prototype demonstrates a high directivity up to 46 dBi at 30 GHz and 48 dBi at 40 GHz and reflector efficiency up to 83% at 30 GHz and 77% at 40 GHz.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 8621011 |
| Pages (from-to) | 2305-2319 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2019 |
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Keywords
- Antenna array
- effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP)
- focal-plane arrays (FPAs)
- geometrical optics (GO) modeling
- millimeter-waves (mm-waves)
- reflector antennas
- wide scan range
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Reflector synthesis for wide-scanning focal plane arrays. / Dubok, Aleksei (Corresponding author); Al-Rawi, Ali; Gerini, Giampiero; Smolders, A. Bart.
In: IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 67, No. 4, 8621011, 01.04.2019, p. 2305-2319.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Reflector synthesis for wide-scanning focal plane arrays
AU - Dubok, Aleksei
AU - Al-Rawi, Ali
AU - Gerini, Giampiero
AU - Smolders, A. Bart
PY - 2019/4/1
Y1 - 2019/4/1
N2 - A new complex offset double-reflector configuration for a wideband focal plane array (FPA) is presented which is optimized for Ka-band applications with a scan range of ±20° in the azimuth plane. This configuration is obtained by using a mathematical framework based on geometrical optics which allow us to optimize complex double-reflector FPAs with limited computational effort. The proposed reflector configuration maximizes the number of simultaneously active array elements of the phased-array feed and minimizes the required total number of array elements for this wide scan range. To realize an aperture efficiency of at least 80% at 30 GHz, our concept allows half of the antenna elements in the array to be active during scanning for a scan range of ±10° and at least a quarter of the array elements to be active for a scan range of ±20°. This is a major improvement as compared to the scanning capabilities of focal-plane arrays based on conventional single- and double-parabolic reflector configurations. In addition, the FPA configuration has been optimized for wideband optical true-time-delay beamforming which requires a linear phase distribution along the array elements. We obtained a phase linearity with rms error of 2.81° at 30 GHz. The experiments from the realized prototype demonstrate a good agreement between simulation and measurements and fully prove the required scanning performance over a ±20° scan range. The prototype demonstrates a high directivity up to 46 dBi at 30 GHz and 48 dBi at 40 GHz and reflector efficiency up to 83% at 30 GHz and 77% at 40 GHz.
AB - A new complex offset double-reflector configuration for a wideband focal plane array (FPA) is presented which is optimized for Ka-band applications with a scan range of ±20° in the azimuth plane. This configuration is obtained by using a mathematical framework based on geometrical optics which allow us to optimize complex double-reflector FPAs with limited computational effort. The proposed reflector configuration maximizes the number of simultaneously active array elements of the phased-array feed and minimizes the required total number of array elements for this wide scan range. To realize an aperture efficiency of at least 80% at 30 GHz, our concept allows half of the antenna elements in the array to be active during scanning for a scan range of ±10° and at least a quarter of the array elements to be active for a scan range of ±20°. This is a major improvement as compared to the scanning capabilities of focal-plane arrays based on conventional single- and double-parabolic reflector configurations. In addition, the FPA configuration has been optimized for wideband optical true-time-delay beamforming which requires a linear phase distribution along the array elements. We obtained a phase linearity with rms error of 2.81° at 30 GHz. The experiments from the realized prototype demonstrate a good agreement between simulation and measurements and fully prove the required scanning performance over a ±20° scan range. The prototype demonstrates a high directivity up to 46 dBi at 30 GHz and 48 dBi at 40 GHz and reflector efficiency up to 83% at 30 GHz and 77% at 40 GHz.
KW - Antenna array
KW - effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP)
KW - focal-plane arrays (FPAs)
KW - geometrical optics (GO) modeling
KW - millimeter-waves (mm-waves)
KW - reflector antennas
KW - wide scan range
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064271170&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/TAP.2018.2889136
DO - 10.1109/TAP.2018.2889136
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064271170
VL - 67
SP - 2305
EP - 2319
JO - IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
JF - IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
SN - 0018-926X
IS - 4
M1 - 8621011
ER -