Title :
A heterodyne-scan phased-array antenna
Author :
Kim, M. ; Hacker, J.B. ; Sailer, A.L. ; Hong, J.H.
Author_Institution :
Rockwell Inst. Sci. Center, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
Abstract :
A new phased-array antenna system concept for narrow-band frequency beam steering is introduced. The phase shift between neighboring antennas in the array is controlled by changing the frequency of the signal traveling along fixed delay lines in a series feed network. Diode mixers are added before each antenna to convert the frequency of the control signal to a constant radiating frequency. A complete transmit system, using microstrip patch antennas, was built on a 4/spl times/6 in/sup 2/ printed circuit board for an X-band demonstration. As the control frequency was swept from 15.1 to 18.4 GHz, the beam was steered from -52 to +46 degrees with the peak power density variation of 5 dB, mainly due to nonuniform mixer conversion loss at different control frequencies.
Keywords :
antenna phased arrays; antenna radiation patterns; delay lines; microstrip antenna arrays; microwave mixers; scanning antennas; 15.1 to 18.4 GHz; X-band demonstration; control frequency sweeping; diode mixers; fixed delay lines; heterodyne-scan phased-array antenna; microstrip patch antennas; narrow-band frequency beam steering; nonuniform mixer conversion loss; printed circuit board; series feed network; transmit system; Antenna arrays; Antenna feeds; Beam steering; Delay lines; Diodes; Frequency conversion; Microstrip antenna arrays; Mixers; Narrowband; Phased arrays;
Journal_Title :
Microwave and Guided Wave Letters, IEEE
