학술논문

Test-Driven Design of an Active Dual-Polarized Log-Periodic Antenna for the Square Kilometre Array
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation IEEE Open J. Antennas Propag. Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Open Journal of. 1:253-263 2020
Subject
Fields, Waves and Electromagnetics
Communication, Networking and Broadcast Technologies
Aerospace
Antenna measurements
Antenna arrays
Dipole antennas
Antenna feeds
Radio astronomy
Impedance
Log periodic antennas
low-frequency aperture array
radio astronomy
Language
ISSN
2637-6431
Abstract
An active dual-polarized Log-Periodic antenna has been designed to meet the requirements of the low-frequency (50 – 350 MHz) radio telescope of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The integration of antenna and low noise amplifier has been conceived in order to achieve a high degree of testability. This aspect has been found to be crucial to obtain a smooth frequency response compatible with the SKA science cases. The design has also been driven by other factors such as the large-volume production (more than 130 000 antennas will be built) and the environmental conditions of the harsh Australian desert. A specific verification approach based on both wideband radiometric spectral and spatial measurements in relevant laboratory and in-situ conditions has been developed. Electromagnetic analyses and experimental results exhibit a very good agreement. In December 2019, this antenna was part of the reference solution for the System Critical Design Review of the SKA.