Title :
An optically controlled MMW beam-steering antenna based on a novel architecture
Author :
Manasson, V.A. ; Sadovnik, L.S. ; Yepishin, V.A. ; Marker, D.
Author_Institution :
WaveBand Corp., Torrance, CA, USA
fDate :
8/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Beam-steering millimeter-wave (MMW) antennas using photo-induced plasma gratings (PIPGs) offer a dramatic decrease in fabrication cost compared to their phased-array counterparts. We describe a totally new antenna design which has been tested in both the receiving and the transmitting modes. The new antenna is a compact device with a reconfigurable PIPG in a semiconductor plate as an output aperture. This aperture is fed by a tunnel-coupling dielectric waveguide. We demonstrated the antenna´s scanning capability over a±15° range. The new design permits the antenna to operate at various polarizations including linear polarization (either vertical or horizontal) and circular polarization (an ellipticity of only 0.8 dB has been demonstrated)
Keywords :
antenna feeds; aperture antennas; dielectric waveguides; electromagnetic wave polarisation; millimetre wave antenna arrays; semiconductor plasma; EHF; MM-wave beam-steering antenna; antenna design; circular polarization; compact device; linear polarization; millimeter-wave antennas; optically controlled beam-steering antenna; output aperture; photo-induced plasma gratings; receiving mode; reconfigurable gratings; semiconductor plate; transmitting mode; tunnel-coupling dielectric waveguide; Apertures; Costs; Gratings; Optical beams; Optical control; Optical device fabrication; Plasma devices; Polarization; Receiving antennas; Transmitting antennas;
Journal_Title :
Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on
