Polarization-agile millimeter-wave antenna arrays

A novel technique to design the dual-linear polarization (DLP) antenna array and dual-circular polarization (DCP) antenna array is introduced. Novel 3-D interconnects are proposed and later used in the implementation of both antenna arrays. The DLP array is construed by using eight anti-podal linearly tapered slot antennas (ALTSA) and experimentally validated at 35 GHz. Measured gain is of 18 dBi for each polarization state. A novel SIW-fed dielectric rod antenna is proposed and used to implement the DCP antenna array. Measured 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth for single circular polarization element is from 58 GHz to 64 GHz. The 2×2 DCP array makes use of four of such CP elements and contributes to the total gain of 17 dBi. Simulated and measured results are in good agreement. These proposed arrays can find numerous applications, namely in imaging systems and wireless satellite communications.