A Hybrid-Integrated K-/Ka-Band Phased Array Module With Dual-Polarized Shared Aperture

In this work, a passive dual-polarized shared antenna aperture and active beamformer front-ends are integrated into a phased array module. The system operates in the K-/Ka-band and is intended for satellite communications. It consists of a hybrid assembly of aluminum waveguide components and printed circuit boards that are electrically connected by anisotropic conductive adhesive, containing a heterodyne transceiver with L-band interfaces. For proof of concept, a demonstrator with 64 transmit (Tx) and 32 receive (Rx) elements is fabricated and characterized. It provides full-duplex Tx/Rx operation with bandwidths of 1 GHz centered around 29.5 (Tx) and 19.5 GHz (Rx), beam scanning over wide angular ranges up to 60° in both H- and E-planes, an equivalent isotropic radiated power of up to 20.4 dBW at 1-dB power compression and an Rx gain to noise temperature ratio of up to −10.2 dB/K at room temperature. The measured performances are comparable to those of phased array systems with separate apertures and thus validate the integration approach.

I. Introduction

Recent advances in electronically steerable phased array antennas at -/-band frequencies enable the next-generation satellite communication (SatCom) and expand the scope of traditional mechanically steered solutions, which are likely to be replaced in the near future. Indeed, the expected reduced terminal antenna mass and thickness, lower maintenance effort, and capability for high steering speeds are advantageous for mobile applications and tracking of fast-moving low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations [1].