The use of waveguide simulators to measure the resonant frequency of Ku-band microstrip arrays

This paper describes the use of waveguide simulators for measuring the reflection coefficient of infinite arrays of free-standing microstrip elements illuminated by a plane wave. Waveguide simulators have long been used to measure the active impedance of phased array elements in a mutual coupling environment. We have extended the technique in order to measure the resonant frequency of arrays of free-standing microstrip elements. Using these measurements along with validated MoM codes, we are able to indirectly determine the dielectric constant of our antenna substrate material.