Modular Design of Multi-Functional Transmit-Array Antenna for X-Band

In this paper, a multifunctional transmit-array antenna with beam steering and polarization conversion capabilities for the X-band is presented. The proposed design offers advantages in terms of scalability, faster development and deployment, and ease of maintenance owing to its modular design, which is configured by a receiver, an active circuit, a DC bias control line, and a transmitter. The proposed design is capable of 2D beam scanning of up to ±45° for azimuth and elevation while converting vertical or horizontal polarization by electronic control. To verify its performance, a 16×16 array transmit-array antenna is fabricated and tested using a near-field measurement system. It exhibits a maximum gain of 23.7 dBi, the sidelobe level of 14 dBc, the polarization conversion loss of below 1 dB, and the polarization isolation of above 10 dB. The measurement results agree well with the simulation.