Design of a low-profile Ku band phased array antenna for mobile platforms

Ku band reception systems for mobile platforms demand stringent requirements for the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the antenna. Limitations on height and weight for a rugged antenna design require a careful phased array antenna design. We present a new phased array antenna design capable of mechanical scanning in azimuth and electronic scanning in elevation. Non-resonant slot coupled patch antenna with a parasitic element on top is designed for wideband operation, which covers entire Ku band allocated for TV reception, and high gain. Single element, then, is formed in an array to meet target design specifications. The antenna has overall 31 dBi of gain when its beam is tilted to 45° elevation. Its feed network is optimized for this particular scanning angle and wideband operation. Considering the limited dimensions of the antenna, it exhibits excellent performance in terms of match, gain, and isolation among its polarization ports.