Compact antenna arrays with wide bandwidth and low sidelobe levels

摘要

Highly efficient, low cost, easily manufactured SAR antenna arrays with lightweight low profiles, large instantaneous bandwidths and low SLL are disclosed. The array topology provides all necessary circuitry within the available antenna aperture space and between the layers of material that comprise the aperture. Bandwidths of 15.2 GHz to 18.2 GHz, with 30 dB SLLs azimuthally and elevationally, and radiation efficiencies above 40% may be achieved. Operation over much larger bandwidths is possible as well.

主权项

1. A layered radiator apparatus for radiating synthetic aperture radar (SAR) signals, comprising:
a layered input portion including a stripline feed disposed between a pair of ground layers, one of said ground layers defining therein a first slot; a layered microstrip portion stacked adjacent said one ground layer, said microstrip portion including a microstrip disposed between a pair of dielectric layers; and a layered antenna portion stacked adjacent said microstrip portion, said antenna portion including a patch radiator defining therein a second slot, and a further dielectric layer disposed between said patch radiator and said microstrip portion; wherein each of said stripline feed and said microstrip portion includes a plurality of conductive elements that are physically separated from one another and electrically isolated from one another, and wherein said first slot is in overlapping relationship relative to all of said conductive elements.