Synthetic aperture antenna for near field applications

Preliminary results of implementation of a new approach to design of scanning antennas are presented. Combining mechanical movement of a simple radiator along a real aperture of a stationary antenna with the concept of the antenna aperture synthesizing is the main idea of that approach. Helical-slot synthetic aperture antenna has been suggested, designed and tested in Ka-band. The tests shown a good agreement with theoretical evaluations, as well as a high efficiency of the suggested antenna in transmit/receive operating mode. The antenna in the near-field zone for relatively small real antenna apertures provides a high azimuth resolution.