A High-gain Low-sidelobe Dual-polarized Broadband Array Antenna

Authors

  • Qi-Lei Zhou National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0536-130X
  • Bo-Wen Zhang National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China
  • Neng-Wu Liu National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China
  • Guang Fu National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/2024.ACES.J.390104

Keywords:

broadband low sidelobe, dual-polarization, high-isolation, multi-layer

Abstract

In this paper, we present a dual-polarized broadband low side lobe array designed for operation in the Ku-band. The antenna array operates within the frequency range of 14.0 GHz to 15.2 GHz, covering a bandwidth of over 8%. To realize this wide operational frequency, we have selected broadband microstrip antenna elements as the units of the array. In order to fulfill the demanding criteria of broadband performance and low sidelobe characteristics, we introduce a broadband low-sidelobe feeding network based on a directional coupler design. This feeding network ensures connectivity with the antenna units, resulting in a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) < 2 within the 14.0 GHz to 15.2 GHz frequency range. Furthermore, our antenna array achieves an array gain exceeding 21 dBi and keeps array sidelobes below -20 dB across the entire operating frequency band. Our research breakthrough addresses the critical design challenge of creating large-scale array antennas that combine broadband capabilities with high gain and minimal sidelobe interference.

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Author Biographies

Qi-Lei Zhou, National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China

Qi-lei Zhou was born in Shaanxi, China, in September 1996. He received the B.S. degree in electronic information Technology from Xidian University, Xi’an, China, in 2019, where he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree. His current research interests include broadband miniaturized circularly polarized antenna and millimeter wave phased array.

Bo-Wen Zhang, National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China

Bo-Wen Zhang was born in Xi’an, China. He received the B.S. degree in electronic information Technology from Xidian University, Xi’an, China, in 2012. After that he received the M.E. in science and engineering from Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan. Since 2019, he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree from Xidian University. His current research interests include corrugated horn antenna beam-shaped array antenna and metamaterial applications in antenna

Neng-Wu Liu, National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China

Neng-Wu Liu (Senior Member, IEEE) was born in Changde, China. He received the B.S. and M.E. degrees in electrical engineering from Xidian University, Xi’an, China, in 2012 and 2015, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Macau, Macau, in 2017. Since 2018, he has been an Associate Professor with Xidian University. From 2019 to 2021, he was the UM Macao Post-Doctoral Research Fellow under the UM Macao Talent Program. His current research interests include designs of antenna theory, low-profile antenna, multimode antenna, wideband antenna, patch antenna, dielectric resonator antenna, circularly polarized antennas, filtering antenna, slot antenna, and phased array. Dr. Liu was a recipient of several academic awards, which includes the Best Student Paper Award in the 17th IEEE Macau/HK AP/MTT Postgraduate Conference and the Best Student Paper Award in 2017 National Conference on Antennas. He was also a recipient of the Outstanding Reviewer Award from the IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation in 2020, 2021, and 2022; and the 2022 Macao Natural Science Awards (Second Prize) from the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT), Macau. He serves as an Associate Editor for IET Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Access, and Electronics Letters (IET).

Guang Fu, National Key Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology Xidian University, Xian, 710075, China

Guang Fu received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electromagnetic field and microwave technology from Xidian University, Xi’an, China, in 1984 and 1991, respectively.

He became a Professor with Xidian University, in 2001. His current research interests include theory and engineering of antenna and antenna array.

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Published

2024-01-31

How to Cite

[1]
Q.-L. Zhou, B.-W. Zhang, N.-W. Liu, and G. Fu, “A High-gain Low-sidelobe Dual-polarized Broadband Array Antenna”, ACES Journal, vol. 39, no. 01, pp. 24–30, Jan. 2024.

Issue

Section

Mode-inspired antennas/circuits for 5G/6G applications