Study and Design of a Differentially-Fed Tapered Slot Antenna Array Articles uri icon

publication date

  • January 2010

start page

  • 68

end page

  • 78

issue

  • 1

volume

  • 58

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0018-926X

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1558-2221

abstract

  • The results of a parametric study and design of an ultrawideband dual-polarized array of differentially-fed tapered slot antenna elements are presented. We examine arrays of bunny-ear antennas and discuss the
    capabilities and limitations of differential antenna technology. As we
    focus on radio astronomical applications, the absence of a
    balancing-feed circuit not only reduces the first-stage noise
    contribution associated to losses in the feed, but also leads to a cost
    reduction. Common-modes are supported by the antenna structure when a
    third conductor is present, such as a ground plane. We demonstrate that
    anomalies may occur in the differential-mode scan impedance. Knowledge
    of both types of scan impedances, differential and common mode, is
    required to properly design differential LNAs and to achieve optimal
    receiver sensitivity. A compromise solution is proposed based on the
    partial suppression of the undesired common-mode currents through a (low
    loss) balancing-dissipation technique. A fully steerable design up to
    45?? in both principal planes is achieved.