We proposed a new architecture of antenna, transmitter and receiver feeding configuration for small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that is compatible with 100kg class satellite. Promising applications are constellations of earth observations together with optical sensors, and responsive, disaster monitoring missions. The SAR antenna is a deployable, passive, honeycomb panel antenna with slot array that can be stowed compactly. RF (radio frequency) instruments are in a satellite body and RF signal is fed to a deployable antenna through non-contacting choke flanges at deployable hinges. This paper describes its development strategy and the present development status of the small spaceborne SAR based on this architecture.

A 12×16-element corporate-feed slot array is presented. The corporate-feed circuit for the 12×16-elemtent array consists of cross-junctions and asymmetric T-junctions, whereas the conventional one is limited to arrays of 2m×2n slots by its use of symmetric T-junctions. Simulations of the 12×16-element array show a 7.6% bandwidth for reflection less than -14dB. A 31.7-dBi gain with an antenna efficiency of 82.6% is obtained at the design frequency of 61.5GHz. The 12×16-element array is fabricated by diffusion bonding of laminated thin metal plates. Measurements indicate 31.1-dBi gain with 71.9% antenna efficiency at 61.5GHz.

Slotted-waveguide array antennas are attractive because of their low-loss characteristics at high frequencies. Several types of slotted arrays whose polarization angles are inclined to the waveguide axis have been reported. In this paper, we propose a new type of slot array antenna on a rectangular coaxial line for minimizing the waveguide width. As opposed to a conventional waveguide, there is no “cut-off” concept in our proposal because the coaxial line is a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) line. Therefore it is possible to guide the wave even if the diameter of the line is much smaller than that of the waveguide. Moreover, the proposed antenna is a resonant slot array antenna that is based on standing-wave excitation and is thus different from traveling-wave antennas (such as a leaky coaxial cable (LCX)).

A post-wall center-feed waveguide consisting of T-junctions is proposed for reducing the slot-free area of a parallel plate slot array antenna. The width of the slot-free area is reduced from 2.6 λ0 to 2.1 λ0. A sidelobe level in the E-plane is expected to be suppressed lower than that of the conventional center-feed antenna using cross-junctions. The method of moments with solid-wall replacement designs initially the T-junctions and HFSS including the post surfaces modifies only the reflection cancelling post. We have designed and fabricated a 61.25 GHz model antenna with uniform aperture illumination. The sidelobe level in the E-plane is suppressed to -9.5 dB while that of a conventional cross-junction type is -7.8 dB. Also, we suppress it to -13.8 dB by introducing a -8.3 dB amplitude tapered distribution in the array of the radiation slot pairs.

A novel broad-band ring-slot array antenna for simultaneous use of orthogonal polarizations is presented in this paper. In this antenna, the broad-band performance is obtained by integrating a 22 ring-slot array antenna and a broad-band π/2 hybrid circuit. The simultaneous use of the right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and the left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) is achieved using orthogonal feed circuits on three layers. The both-sided MIC technology is effectively employed in forming this type of slot array antenna. Experimental results show that the proposed antenna has good circular polarization characteristics for both the LHCP and the RHCP. The measured impedance-bandwidth of return loss better than -10 dB are about 47% both for the LHCP and the RHCP. The 3 dB axial ratio bandwidths are 25% (RHCP) and 29% (LHCP). The isolation between the two input ports is better than -35 dB at center frequency of 7.5 GHz.

A novel analysis model for post-wall waveguide T-junctions is proposed. Equivalent solid-walls for the post-walls to have equal guided wavelength are corrected in the analysis model so that the wall thickness for the coupling windows is set to the difference in the width between the post-wall and the solid-wall waveguides. The accuracy of the proposed model is confirmed by comparing it to an HFSS analysis for the real structure of the post-wall waveguide T-junction including the post surfaces. 61.25 GHz model antennas are fabricated for experimental verification. The reflection of the antenna designed by the modified analysis model is suppressed to below -15 dB over a 5.6 GHz bandwidth, while that in the antenna designed by the conventional model is larger than -15 dB around the design frequency.

This paper presents the radiation characteristics of a circularly polarized conical beam spherical slot array antenna for applying to the mobile satellite communication subscriber. The structure of the antenna is easy to fabricate i. e. , a ring of perpendicular slot pairs cut on an outer surface of a concentric conducting spherical cavity enclosed by the conducting conical surface with the simple feeding structure, and a linear electric probe excited at the center of the inner surface of the cavity. Radiation fields of a spherical slot array antenna are calculated by superposing the patterns of all the slots. From the numerical results of the radiation pattern, in both elevational and azimuthal planes, it is obvious that the conical beam is realized. The elevational beam direction is low, which is suitable for installing in the land mobile subscriber unit located far from the equator. The tracking system is not necessary because the azimuthal pattern is omnidirectional. Directivity of the antenna for various spherical radii and angles of slot positions are illustrated as the guidelines for the design. Experimental results are in good agreement with the predictions.