학술논문
Ultra-Wideband Patch Antenna Array With an Inclined Proximity Coupled Feed for Small Unmanned Aircraft RADAR Applications
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation IEEE Open J. Antennas Propag. Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Open Journal of. 2:1079-1086 2021
Subject
Language
ISSN
2637-6431
Abstract
This paper the design of a lightweight and compact patch antenna array with an inclined proximity coupled feed. The antenna array is designed for operation on a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) with an ultra-wideband (UWB) radar for remote sensing of soil moisture and snow. To achieve UWB impedance matching, the design utilizes an inclined wide feed and inter-element coupling. A 3-D printed base (polylactic acid) is used to support the feed structure. The antenna array operates over a 2.5 GHz – 4.5 GHz frequency (57.2% bandwidth) range, and its weight is 112 grams. A prototype $2\times4$ element array is fabricated and tested. The antenna array has an 88.2% average radiation efficiency and a 13.2 dBi average realized gain over the desired frequency band with broadside and stable radiation pattern.