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.

Subjects

Dual-frequency

dual-polarized

front-end

full duplex

integration

K-/ Ka-band

modular

phased array

planar

receive (Rx)

satellite communication (SatCom)

shared aperture

transceiver

transmit (Tx)

DDC Class

600: Technology

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A hybrid-integrated K-/ Ka-band phased array module with dual-polarized shared aperture