Dual-Polarized Broadband Array Antenna With BOR-Elements, Mechanical Design and Measurements

A dual polarized broadband phased array antenna designed for the frequency range 6-18 GHz, a 45deg conical grating lobe free scan volume and equipped with BOR-elements developed by Saab is presented. The aim with this array element is to bring about a dual polarized broadband array antenna that is easy to assemble, disassemble and connect to active microwave modules. Disassembling may be important for maintenance and upgrade reasons. Mechanical design and electromagnetic performance in the form of active reflection coefficient, calculated from measured mutual coupling coefficients, and measured active gain element pattern for a central and an edge element is presented. Edge effects in the array, which may be severe in small broadband arrays, are considered in this paper