Additively manufactured high gain cavity backed Ku-band slot antenna

Asci Y., YEĞİN K.

AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications, vol.135, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 135
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.aeue.2021.153746
  • Journal Name: AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Applied Science & Technology Source, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, INSPEC
  • Keywords: Satellite communication, Slot antennas, UAV antenna, VSAT antenna, Waveguide slot antenna
  • Uşak University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Cavity backed slot antenna covering entire Ku-band satellite communications frequency band (10.5–14.5 GHz) is designed and manufactured using both 3D printing and traditional metal milling for performance comparison. Four cavity backed radiating slots are fed with a waveguide aperture and a stub along the aperture magnetic field is placed to improve the antenna gain and to reduce the mutual coupling among the slots. Measured fractional bandwidth is 38% for both antennas. Measured gain in the target bandwidth is up to 13.1 dBi and 13.5 dBi for 3D-printed and all-metallic variant, respectively. Average HPBW in E-plane is 34° throughout the band. Antenna height is only 0.78λ at the center frequency including the stub and the feed waveguide, and its transverse dimensions are 1.51λ by 1.82λ. Wideband, high-gain, light weight, and small form factor features of the proposed antenna can be used in array form for satellite and radiolink communications.