A miniature, wideband, circularly polarized cross-slotline antenna

The design and performance of a dual circularly polarized, 3:1 bandwidth (C-band to Ku-band) miniature cross-slotline antenna with a coverage angle of 60 degrees or less are presented and demonstrated. This class of antenna with dual circular polarizations is well suited as array elements for wideband phased array applications, especially for radar warning receiver systems. Typical VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) performance of a linear slotline radiator in the cross configuration is better than 2.0:1 over the entire 12-GHz band. H-plane and E-plane radiation patterns of a linear radiator in the crossed arrangement are satisfactory for a field-of-view coverage of 100 degrees or less. The axial ratio pattern performance of this circularly polarized cross-slotline antenna versus frequency is also shown.<>