A high radiation efficiency microstrip array feed for Ku band satellite communication

For satellite communications terminals, the radiation efficiencies typically achieved by microstrip antennas (MSA) are inadequate. To realize more efficient planar antennas for this application, the dependence of radiation efficiency on two key parameters, substrate relative dielectric constant and thickness, was investigated, and substrate selection guidelines were developed for high radiation efficiency antenna design. Based on the selected substrate, two types of MSA array feeds for Ku band satellite communication were designed, simulated, fabricated and measured for radiation efficiency comparison. One of the MSA arrays achieved a radiation efficiency of 93% at 12 GHz, which is among the best reported efficiencies for this frequency and class of antennas.