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3-D coupled annular aperture antenna array with dual circularly polarized isoflux beam for cubeSat Earth coverage applications

Li, Siyu, Izquierdo, Benito, Liao, Shaowei, Xue, Quan, Gao, Steven (2025) 3-D coupled annular aperture antenna array with dual circularly polarized isoflux beam for cubeSat Earth coverage applications. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, . p. 1. ISSN 0018-926X. E-ISSN 1558-2221. (doi:10.1109/tap.2024.3523683) (KAR id:108426)

Abstract

This communication introduces the concept of coupled annular aperture antenna array (CAAAA) that enhances CubeSat earth coverage with dual circularly polarized (CP) isoflux beams. Unlike the formerly reported annular aperture antenna array (AAAA), which relies on complex feeding networks with numerous excitation ports for amplitude and phase adjustment, the CAAAA simplifies design and reduces radiation losses by optimizing the 3-D spatial arrangement, thus tailoring excitation parameters of passive coupled annular aperture elements encircling a central excitation annular aperture element. The inherent axisymmetric structure of the CAAAA yields a consistent axisymmetric radiation pattern. A C-band (5 GHz) prototype demonstrates ±30° isoflux coverage, 4.5 dBi peak gain, and an axial ratio (AR) beamwidth exceeding 180°, indicating robust dual CP performance. Notable for its low profile (0.11 λ0), lightweight design, ease of fabrication, and high radiation efficiency, the CAAAA offers a viable, efficient solution for CubeSat applications requiring extensive earth coverage.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1109/tap.2024.3523683
Additional information: For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.
Uncontrolled keywords: apertures; CubeSat; antenna radiation patterns; phased arrays; Earth; antennas and propagation; patch antennas; helical antennas; aperture coupled antennas; three-dimensional displays
Subjects: T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Engineering and Digital Arts
Funders: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (https://ror.org/0439y7842)
Royal Society (https://ror.org/03wnrjx87)
SWORD Depositor: JISC Publications Router
Depositing User: JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited: 23 Jan 2025 12:31 UTC
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2025 09:18 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/108426 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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