Feed and loss effects in spherical lens antennas for satellite communications

John Thornton, Dave Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The hemispherical lens antenna is a candidate for satellite communications-on-the-move, offering good scan performance in a reduced height. A short focal length minimizes height but presents challenges in illuminating the lens. Aperture efficiency is dominated by both the primary feed and dielectric loss. Feed effects are investigated in a threefold approach: spherical wave theory, commercial solver, and measurements. Gain and loss in a 432 mm diameter polyethylene/polystyrene lens are also measured. Gain for a waveguide-fed array of two lenses is 36.3, 38.8, and 41.1 dBi, respectively, at 12.5, 20, and 30 GHz. The performance of a proposed four-element array of equivalent area is then estimated.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e21036
JournalInternational Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering
Volume27
Issue number1
Early online date1 Sept 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2017

Keywords

  • lens antennas
  • waveguide feeds
  • satellite communications

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