Low-Profile Scanning Antenna Array Using Mechanically Controlled Phase Shifters

Introduction. In connection with the active development of satellite systems using low-orbit, medium-orbit and highly elliptical spacecraft, an important task is to ensure continuous reception-transmission of signals by antenna systems for both mobile and stationary ground-based communication terminals. As a rule, scanning antenna systems are used in ground terminals of such systems. Nowadays, antenna systems with mechanoelectric scanning have been developed due to the fact that such systems achieve high directivity in a wide range of angles while maintaining small dimensions of the antenna and its low cost. One of the possible elements of beam control are waveguide phase shifters due to their simple realization, low losses and low cost. Aim. Development of a mechanoelectric scanning antenna array capable of providing beam tunability within ±60°.Materials and methods. Numerical investigations have been carried out by finite element method in time domain. Results. A broadband microstrip radiating element operating in the frequency range of 10.7…14.5 GHz has been developed and a scanning antenna array has been constructed on its basis. The control element of the array is a proposed phase shifter on a gap-waveguide, which provides phase adjustment of more than 360°. According to the results of electrodynamic modeling, the antenna array demonstrated the possibility of scanning within ±60° with a degradation of the directivity factor less than 3 dB over the entire operating frequency range. Conclusion. This paper considers the development of a mechanoelectric scanning antenna system with a mechanical phase shifter as a beam steering element. The developed antenna array allows to provide scanning in the sector of angles ±60°.