A dual-polarized patch antenna for weather radar applications

An antenna suitable for use in emerging multifunctional phased array weather radar applications is presented. The S-band (3-3.6 GHz), differentially probe-fed, stacked patch antenna features high port-to-port isolation (>; 40 dB) and correspondingly good cross-polarization characteristics in addition to high efficiency and good port-to-port matching. The intended application places strict limits on errors introduced in polarime-tric weather radar measurements by antenna array polarization errors that are not corrected by calibration. The fundamental challenge is described, and it is demonstrated herein that this particular antenna element exhibits fairly good polarimetric performance over a wide scan range without excessive calibration requirements. Results from both a single element characterization and a 9×9 planar array of these elements are presented.