A X-Band Patch Antenna Array With Low Cross-Polarization

For Weather Radar Applications

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

M. Vizcarro Carretero Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Contributors

Alexander Yarovoy Microwave Sensing, Signals & Systems - EEMCS (supervisor 1)
Stefano Turso Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (supervisor 1)
Carlos Galvis Salzburg Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (coach)
Thomas Bertuch Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Copyright: © 2019 Marc Vizcarro Carretero
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

26-08-2019

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Abstract

Meaningful dual-polarized radar estimations suitable for radar meteorology require a cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and isolation (XPI) in excess of 30 dB to reach a differential reflectivity accuracy lower than 0.1 dB. A planar dual-polarized patch antenna array featuring low cross-polarization is proposed to meet these requirements via a simple implementation of imaged feeding and candidates as a cost-effective electronically steerable array for short-range X-band weather radars.
However, relatively high levels of cross-polarization are to be expected in a patch array and therefore counteracted with specific designs. To this end, a feed rotation technique is implemented via bi-axial imaging of the feeding probes for each logical sub-array of 2 by 2 elements. Improvements in XPD respect to a repeated feeding scheme are significant and in excess of 30 dB. Based on successful designs and simulations in CST Microwave Studio and ANSYS HFSS, an X-band array of 4 by 4 patches has been manufactured. Extensive instrumental validation has been largely supporting this specialized feeding concept meeting the theoretical expectations and electromagnetic simulation results.