A low profile radiating element with nearly hemispheric coverage for satellite communications on-the-move hybrid array antenna

A novel design solution of a dual-linearly-polarised Ku-band low-profile radiating element for low elevation angle coverage (down to 10° above horizon) is presented. Such an element is suitable for full-duplex Satellite Communications On-The-Move (SCOTM) hybrid scanned phased array antenna applications. Standard-designed radiating elements for array applications with low profile physical structure suffer poor low elevation angle coverage as the element pattern reduces by sine of the elevation angle. The element design demonstrated in this paper features unique louvered array element geometry incorporating a spatial “ray bending” lens facilitates the shaping of the element pattern to increase gain at low elevation angles. Preliminary modelling results using ray-tracing analysis shows that the desired low angle coverage can be achieved. Currently in progress full 3D electromagnetic simulations which include the interaction between the basic radiator and the spatial lens indicates that using an ideal tilted element with novel louvered reflector in addition with proposed lens, low angular coverage can potentially be realised in a low profile structure.