Title :
A microstrip patch-fed short backfire antenna for the tracking and data relay satellite system-continuation (TDRSS-C) multiple access (MA) array
Author :
Nessel, James A. ; Kory, Carol L. ; Lambert, Kevin M. ; Acosta, Roberto J. ; Miranda, Félix A.
Author_Institution :
NASA Glenn Res. Center, Cleveland, OH
Abstract :
A novel microstrip patch-fed short backfire antenna has been presented here for the first time as a candidate antenna element for the next generation TDRSS-C MA array. This design meets nearly all the specifications required for the enhanced MA array antenna element and promises to provide a lightweight low cost alternative over other designs presently being considered (i.e., corrugated horn, helix, waveguide-fed SBA). Simulations performed using IE3D and MWS agree with measured data, thus far, and indicate an 11% 15-dB bandwidth and a maximum directivity of 15.2 dBi. Future work involves further optimization of the radiation characteristics and the construction of the complete short backfire antenna structure to verify simulated results
Keywords :
antenna radiation patterns; microstrip antenna arrays; multi-access systems; satellite communication; IE3D; MWS; continuation multiple access array; corrugated horn antenna; enhanced MA array antenna element; helix antenna; microstrip patch-fed short backfire antenna; next generation TDRSS-C MA array; radiation characteristics; tracking and data relay satellite system; waveguide-fed SBA; Antenna arrays; Costs; Helical antennas; Horn antennas; Microstrip antenna arrays; Microstrip antennas; Optical arrays; Performance evaluation; Relays; Satellite antennas;
Conference_Titel :
Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium 2006, IEEE
Conference_Location :
Albuquerque, NM
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0123-2
DOI :
10.1109/APS.2006.1710574
