Printed Planar Array Antenna with SCL Feeding For High Power SAR Applications

Mohit Khanna, Sanjeev Kulshrestha, B. K. Pandey, Anil Kr. Pandey,

S. B. Chakrabarty
Microwave Sensors Antenna Division, Antenna Systems Area
Space Applications Center, ISRO, SAC PO, Ahmedabad
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
This paper presents the design and development of linear polarized shaped beam antenna for Airborne Synthetic
Aperture Radar(SAR) application. A planar array of 8 X 16 elements is designed and developed at C band having 5.35
GHz as centre frequency with 4 % bandwidth for operating at 8KW peak power with 0.9% duty cycle. Multilayer stacked
printed antenna with electromagnetic coupling is chosen as radiating element for wide bandwidth and low cross
polarization. Shaping in elevation plane for 30 degree swath coverage is achieved by obtaining the complex excitation
distribution employing null perturbation technique. A 1:8 Square Coaxial line(SCL) corporate network with waveguide
input is designed to feed the array. Measured and simulated radiation patterns are presented. There is good agreement
between measured and simulated results.
Key Words: Printed antenna, null perturbation, Square Coaxial Line
Introduction
The desirable features of antenna for Airborne SAR
applications include shaped radiation pattern and wide
bandwidth capability, good cross polarization isolation and
high power capability. Shaped radiation across the track
improves the target dynamic range and compensates the
requirement of STC (Sensitivity Time Control) correction at
receiver end. Wide bandwidth performance results in finer
resolution. Planar array antenna is preferred as compared
to reflector type antenna for less air drag. Present SAR
system is configured with swath of 100 km operating at an
altitude of 8km. This paper presents a printed planar array
which offers bandwidth more than 4% which is not
possible with waveguide slotted array which offers only 12% bandwidth [1].
Proper selection of radiating element for planar array is
dictated by the requirement of large bandwidth, low cross
polarization with high gain. Multilayer-stacked
electromagnetically coupled printed antenna is selected,
which overcomes the bandwidth limitation of the
conventional microstrip antenna [3]. Aperture coupled
antenna is also possible to use as it offers the advantage
of optimizing feeder network and patch independently, but
the impedance matching is poor due to improper
grounding when coaxial feeding below the ground is
required for the array. The complex excitation coefficients
for the required shaped pattern are computed using null
perturbation technique where roots of the polynomial are

moved both in radial and angular direction in shaped

region. For non-shaped region the roots are moved only in
angular direction [3, 4, and 5]. The design is carried out
for shaped radiation pattern within 30 degrees with only 8
elements for ripple level better than 0.5 dB. Eight
elements in the linear array are combined with feeder
network for linear polarization by corporate feeding
making the feed network less frequency sensitive. Two
linear arrays is combined using corporate feeding in
microstrip line to make a 8x2 planar array with 0.80
spacing between two arrays. Analysis of this planar array
is carried out again on Ansoft Ensemble. The 8x16 planar
arrays is fed by Square coaxial line (SCL) power divider. A
8 way Square Coaxial line corporate power divider with
waveguide input is designed to feed planar array. SCL
dimensions [6,7] are chosen large enough to satisfy high
power requirement from the antenna. On the other side
the dimensions are kept small enough to avoid higher
order modes [8]. Different sections of power divider such
as tees and bends are individually analyzed and combined
in complete power divider. The design and analysis of
different sections and complete power divider is carried on
FEM based Ansoft HFSS. Different transitions like
transitions from waveguide to SCL and from SCL to
microstrip line are separately designed and analyzed on
HFSS and embedded into the antenna system.
Measurement of SCL power divider is carried for power
division and return loss. The power divider has a loss 0.5

dB. The SCL power divider is integrated with microstrip

patch array.
Design and Simulations
a) Design of Microstrip Array
Electromagnetically coupled (EMCP or Proximity coupled
or buried feed) is selected as the basic radiating element.
To obtain large bandwidth from the antenna it is designed
multilayer configuration (Fig 1). In this configuration two
microstrip patches are stacked together by a foam
sandwiched between them. The upper patch is effectively
printed on the foam material whose dielectric constant is
nearly equal to air to enhance bandwidth and also to
minimize the surface wave propagation. Since patch
cannot be printed on the foam material so patch is printed
on the opposite face of dielectric sheet and this act as a
radome to protect the antenna against environment. E.M.
coupling from feed line is done by microstrip line buried
into the patch. This has a advantage of avoiding soldering
connection to patches and making it more reliable. RT
Duroid material 5880 with thickness 0.79 mm is selected
for the feeder network to meet the high power
requirement. Upper patch dimensions are taken larger
than lower patch and is fabricated on RT5880 with h =
0.254 mm. Rohacell foam of thickness 5 mm and dielectric
constant 1.05 is used between two patches. Design of
single element is optimized using Ansoft ensemble CAD
software for return loss better than 17 dB and cross
polarization better than 25 dB. Simulated results show
VSWR (2:1) bandwidth of 750 MHz(Fig 1) with cross
polarization better than 22.0 dB.
Linear and planar array design begins with the
computation of excitation distribution to be given to each
antenna element. Null Perturbation technique was applied
to compute the complex excitation distribution with
element spacing 0.75. Orchards pattern synthesis
technique is used here to show that one could obtain a set
of excitation distribution resulting in same pattern in
elevation plane. For each root that lies off the unit circle, it
is possible to have alternate root by keeping the phase
angle fixed while the magnitude is inverted.
Feed line network is designed for the required distribution
in amplitude and phase with return loss better than 17
dB. Corporate feeding mechanism is preferred for broad
bandwidth performance and the gap between the lines are
kept minimum 1.2 mm to accommodate feeder network in
the limited available inter-element spacing. The feed
network is optimized on ADS simulator by modeling

asymmetrical coupled line to account the effect of the

coupling between the lines. This results in less ripples in
the shaped patterns because of better phase control of the
order of 5 degrees. The same optimized layout was later
revalidated by MOMENTUM and minor adjustment in
length was carried out for required phase matching. The
performance of the array was simulated taking cynaede
easter 1516 adhesive into account.

Fig.1 Configuration of radiating element and its

Return Loss
The simulated return loss and radiation pattern for shaped
pattern for 1x8 linear array using the ADS optimized feed
network is shown in Fig 2. The complete linear array is
analysed on Ansoft Ensemble.
b) Design of Square Coaxial feeder network:
Design of square coaxial line begins with choice of
impedance with which patch is to be fed. The design of
feeder network is carried out with 50 square coaxial line
and with outer dimension a=9mm and inner dimension
b=3.5mm. The design of feeder network requires
individual analysis of following sub-sections:
i.
Waveguide to Square-Coaxial line transition
ii.
1:8 Power Divider
iii.
Square Coaxial line to microstrip feed
Network
The designs of these subsections are carried out on FEM
based Ansoft HFSS.

Fig. 2 Simulated return loss and radiation pattern of

Linear Array

The power coupled from waveguide to Square-Coaxial

line is divided into 1:8 power divisions. This power divider
is separately designed and simulation is performed for
complete power divider with 8 port outputs. The power
divider is shown in Fig.4 along with simulated results.

i) Waveguide to Square-Coaxial line transition

Probe coupling is used to couple power from waveguide to
Square-Coaxial line. The depth of the probe and its
distance from the short is critical for the performance.
These two parameters are optimized to achieve the best
performance. The transition and its return loss
performance are shown in Fig.3.

ii)
1:83 Waveguide
Power Divider
Fig.
to Square Coaxial Line Transition and
Return Loss Performance

Fig. 4 1x8 Power Divider and Return loss performance

(iii) Square-Coaxial to Patch transitions

A customized transition(Fig 5) is be build to launch power
from square coaxial to microstrip feed line. This transition
is simulated for -30 dB return loss.

Fig 5 Square-Coaxial to Microstrip Transition

and Return loss per performance

All the layers of 8 X 16 planar array antenna are bonded

together using non conducting adhesive cynaede easter.
The antenna was developed using automated fixture with
vacuum gripper specially designed for this purpose for
combining/aligning all the layers. The whole antenna was
vacuum bagged and kept in an oven upto 120C with a
dwell time of 5 hours. Measured Return loss performance
of the antenna shows required bandwidth. The measured
2:1 VSWR bandwidth of the antenna is better than 250
MHz(Fig 6). The performance of elevation plane measured
patterns and its comparison with simulated patterns at
centre frequency is shown in Fig.7. The shaping of the
beam is done in 8 element direction and it is in the
elevation plane of the antenna. Similarly measured
performance of azimuth plane at centre frequency is
shown in Fig.8 along with simulated pattern. The 16
elements lie in the azimuth plane and square coaxial
power divider is integrated in this plane.
There is very little variation in the radiation patterns for
other frequencies of the band from that of centre
frequency 5.35 GHz.

Elevation Plane Pattern at 5.35 GHz

0
Measured Pattern
Simulated Pattern

Power in dB

-10

-20

-30

-40
-30

-20

-10

10

20

30

40

50

Fig 7 Elevation plane pattern

Azimuth Pattern(5.35 GHz)
0
Calculated Pattern
Measured Pattern
-10

-20

-30

-40
-35

-28

-21

-14

-7

0
Degree

14

21

Fig. 8 Azimuth Plane Patterns

Conclusion
The 8x16 planar array antenna with square coaxial line
feeding mechanism gives good return loss over the
specified bandwidth. The measured radiation for shaped
beam i.e elevation plane pattern is showing very good
agreement with simulated pattern. The ripple in the plane
is less than 0.5 db. Similarly for the azimuth plane the
measured pattern is showing the balanced sidelobe with
beam at 0 degree. The azimuth plane pattern show that a
very good amplitude and phase balance is obtained at 1x8
square coaxial line power divider keeping loss at minimum
level.
Acknowledgement

Fig.6 Measured Return loss of Planar Array

60

Theta in Degrees

dB

Measured Results
The 1x8 square coaxial line power divider is measured on
VNA for return loss and power balance. The measured
result gives a amplitude imbalance of 0.5 db and phase
imbalance of 10 degree over the band. The loss in the
power divider is 0.4db. The measured amplitude and
phase data is used to simulate the azimuth pattern. The
simulated pattern is given in Fig 8 along with measured
pattern. The amplitude and phase imbalance so obtained
is giving balance in side lobe and beam peak at 0degree.
This gives the confidence to integrate it with linear arrays
to develop 8x16 planar array.

28

35

Authors wish to thank Director, SAC for providing support

and encouragement during the work.
References:1. S.R.Rengarajan and A. G. Derneryd, Application of compound coupling slots in the design of shaped beam
antenna pattern, IEEE-AP, Vol-41, No. 1, Jan 1983, pp-59-65.
2. H J.F. Zurcher and F.E. Gardiol, Broadband Patch Antennas, Artech House, Inc. 1995.
3. J. Orchard and R.S. Elliot, Optimizing the synthesis of shaped beam antenna patterns, IEE proc, vol. 132,
Part-H, No. 1m Feb-1985, pp. 63-68.
4. R. S. Elliot, Antenna Pattern Synthesis, IEEE Antenna and Propagation Society Newsletter, Oct-1985, pp. 5-9.
5. S.B.Sharma,S.Kulshrestha, Rajeev Jyoti, C.Sriharsha & B.K.Pandey, Dual polarized shaped beam antenna for
Airborne SAR applications, Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Feb 20-2005, pp. 383-385.
6. Jaroslaw Uher, Jens Bornemann, Uwe Rosenberg, " Waveguide Components for Antenna Feed Systems:
Theory and CAD" Artech House Publications,1993
Chapter 3,pp 133-139.
7. Harry E. Green," The Characteristic Impedance of Square Coaxial Line" IEEE Transaction on Microwave
Theory and Techniques, November 1963 pp554-555.
8. L. Gruner," Higher Order Modes in Square Coaxial Lines" IEEE Transaction on Microwave Theory and
Techniques, Vol.MTT-31No.9 September 1983,pp 770-771.

Author Info
Mohit Khanna: Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. B.Sc. from University of Allahabad in 1994, B. Tech in
Electronics and Telecommunication from J. K Inst. of Applied Physics & Technology, University of Allahabad in 1998 and
M. Tech. in Microwave engineering from Inst. of Technology Benaras Hindu University in 2000. Since, last 6 years he
has been working as a scientist in Antenna Systems Area in the field of microwave remote sensing antennas in Space
Applications Centre, ISRO. Presently he is working for the development of active microstrip phased array antenna,
shaped pattern high power antennas for SAR and antenna system for scatterometer for space and air borne remote
sensing applications. He has around 12 papers to his credit in various national and international conferences and
journals.
Sanjeev Kulshrestha: Born in Jaipur , Rajasthan, India. B.Sc. Degree from Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur in
1988, M.Sc. from Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra in 1990 and M. Tech Microwave Electronics from University of
Delhi South Campus in 1992. He joined Centre for Applied Research in Electronics as S.R.A. from February 1993 to
October 1993. He joined Space Applications Centre, ISRO in November 1993. He is working for the design and
development of state-of-the-art antennas for airborne and spaceborne applications. He was deputed to DLR, Germany
on deputation for dual polarized shaped printed planar array.
B.K.Pandey: Born in Haridwar, Uttar Pradesh, India. B. Sc. from H.N.B. Garhwal University in 1995, B.E. in Electronics
and Communication from D.D.U. Gorakhpur University in 1999 and M. E. in Electronics and Telecommunication from
Jadavpur University in 2001. Since, last 4 years he has been working as a scientist in antenna systems area in the field
of microwave remote sensing antennas in Space Applications Centre, ISRO. Presently he is working for the
development of active microstrip phased array antenna, shaped pattern high power antennas for SAR for space and air
borne remote sensing applications. He has around 7 papers to his credit in various national and international
conferences and publications.
Anil Kumar Pandey: Born in Gorakhpur, India. B.E degree in Electronics and Communication engineering from the
Kumaon University of Nainital, India, in 2001 and the M. Tech degree in Microwave Engineering from the Institute of
Technology at Varanasi (BHU), India, in 2003. In 2003 he, joined the Space Applications Center, Ahmedabad, a center of
Indian Space Research organization (ISRO) as a Scientist. Currently he is working in Microwave Sensors Antenna

Division (MSAD) of Antenna Systems Group. His research interests include electromagnetic theory, numerical methods,
and microstrip antennas.
Dr. S. B. Chakrabarty: Graduate degree in Electronics and Tele-communication Engineering in 1988 from Gauhati
University, India and post-graduate degree in Microwave Engineering from Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India in 1993.
He received Ph. D. degree in Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in 1996.
In October 1995, he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering, Regional Engineering College, Silchar as a lecturer
and worked there till August 1996. From September 1996 onwards he is associated with Space Applications Centre,
Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad, India as senior Scientist/Engineer and Deputy Divisional Head,
Microwave Sensors Antenna Division, Antenna Systems Area. He worked as guest scientist in German Aerospace
Centre (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany during the period June 1999 to February 2000.
He has published more than 30 papers in IEEE trans. on MTT, EMC, Proc. IEE and Indian Journals. His current research
interest includes computational electromagnetics, Satellite microwave and millimeter-wave antennas.