Antenna Simulations and Measurements of Focal Plane Array Facet Reflectors

We present a conceptual prototype model of a focal plane array unit for the STEAMR instrument, highlighting the challenges presented by the required high relative beam proximity of the instrument and focus on how edge-diffraction effects contribute to the array's performance. The analysis was carried out as a comparative process using both PO & PTD and MoM techniques. We first highlight general differences between these computational techniques, with the discussion focusing on diffractive edge effects for near-field imaging reflectors with high truncation. We then present the results of in-depth modeling analyses of the STEAMR focal plane array followed by near-field antenna measurements of a breadboard model of the array. The results of these near-field measurements agree well with both simulation techniques although MoM shows slightly higher complex beam coupling to the measurements than PO & PTD.

The coupling and mutual impedance between balanced wire-arm conical log-spiral antennas /

Includes bibliographical references (76-77)

Nonresonant edge slot antenna for phased array applications: Theory and experiment

The design and development of nonresonant edge slot antenna for phased array applications has been presented. The radiating element is a slot cut on the narrow wall of rectangular waveguide (edge slot). The admittance characteristics of the edge slot have been rigorously studied using a novel hybrid method. Nonresonant arrays have been fabricated using the present slot characterization data and the earlier published data. The experimentally measured electrical characteristics of the antenna are presented which clearly brings out the accuracy of the present method.

Design of antenna-coupled lumped-element titanium nitride KIDs for long-wavelength multi-band continuum imaging

Many applications in cosmology and astrophysics at millimeter wavelengths including CMB polarization, studies of galaxy clusters using the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZE), and studies of star formation at high redshift and in our local universe and our galaxy, require large-format arrays of millimeter-wave detectors. Feedhorn and phased-array antenna architectures for receiving mm-wave light present numerous advantages for control of systematics, for simultaneous coverage of both polarizations and/or multiple spectral bands, and for preserving the coherent nature of the incoming light. This enables the application of many traditional "RF" structures such as hybrids, switches, and lumped-element or microstrip band-defining filters.

Simultaneously, kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs) using high-resistivity materials like titanium nitride are an attractive sensor option for large-format arrays because they are highly multiplexable and because they can have sensitivities reaching the condition of background-limited detection. A KID is a LC resonator. Its inductance includes the geometric inductance and kinetic inductance of the inductor in the superconducting phase. A photon absorbed by the superconductor breaks a Cooper pair into normal-state electrons and perturbs its kinetic inductance, rendering it a detector of light. The responsivity of KID is given by the fractional frequency shift of the LC resonator per unit optical power.

However, coupling these types of optical reception elements to KIDs is a challenge because of the impedance mismatch between the microstrip transmission line exiting these architectures and the high resistivity of titanium nitride. Mitigating direct absorption of light through free space coupling to the inductor of KID is another challenge. We present a detailed titanium nitride KID design that addresses these challenges. The KID inductor is capacitively coupled to the microstrip in such a way as to form a lossy termination without creating an impedance mismatch. A parallel plate capacitor design mitigates direct absorption, uses hydrogenated amorphous silicon, and yields acceptable noise. We show that the optimized design can yield expected sensitivities very close to the fundamental limit for a long wavelength imager (LWCam) that covers six spectral bands from 90 to 400 GHz for SZE studies.

Excess phase (frequency) noise has been observed in KID and is very likely caused by two-level systems (TLS) in dielectric materials. The TLS hypothesis is supported by the measured dependence of the noise on resonator internal power and temperature. However, there is still a lack of a unified microscopic theory which can quantitatively model the properties of the TLS noise. In this thesis we derive the noise power spectral density due to the coupling of TLS with phonon bath based on an existing model and compare the theoretical predictions about power and temperature dependences with experimental data. We discuss the limitation of such a model and propose the direction for future study.

Fiber Optic Coupling of CW Linear Laser Diode Array

Based on a set of microoptics the output radiation from a continuous wave (CW) linear laser diode array is coupled into a multi-mode optical fiber of 400 ptm diameter. The CW linear laser diode array is a 1 cm laser diode bar with 19 stripes with 100 fxm aperture spaced on 500 (xm centers. The coupling system contains packaged laser diode bar, fast axis collimator, slow axis collimation array, beam transformation system and focusing system. The high brightness, high power density and single fiber output of a laser diode bar is achieved. The coupling efficiency is 65% and the power density is up to 1.03 * 10~4 W/cm~2.

Small aperture evanescent-mode waveguide antenna matched using distributed coupled resonators

Presented is a design methodology which permits the application of distributed coupled resonator bandpass filter principles to form wideband small-aperture evanescent-mode waveguide antenna designs. This approach permits matching of the complex antenna aperture admittance of an evanescent-mode open-ended waveguide to a real impedance generator, and thereby to a coaxial feed probe. A simulated reflection coefficient of < - 10 dB was obtained over a bandwidth of 20%, from 2.0-2.45 GHz, in a 2.58 GHz cutoff waveguide. Dielectric-filled propagating waveguide and air-filled evanescent-mode waveguide sections are used to form the resonators/coupling elements of the antenna's coupled resonator matching sections. Simulated realised gain variation from 3.4-5.0 dBi is observed across the bandwidth. The antenna's maximum aperture dimension is < 0.47 wavelength at the upper operating frequency and so it is suitable for use in a wide angle scanning phased array.

Polarisation Agile Microstrip Array Antenna Element

A new microstrip antenna element is described which exhibits polarization agility. This is achieved by employing a T-slot radiator which is driven by the edge fields of a balanced microstrip line. The balanced line can support two propagating modes. namely. an even mode and an odd mode, and be switching between these modes. the orthogonal arms of the T-slot radiator are separately excited thus forming orthogonally polarized radiated fields. A nucrostrip patch antenna, which displays polarization agility using the sane mechanism, is also described

A Multi-Objective Antenna Placement Genetic Algorithm for Matched Array Synthesis on Complex Platforms

A Multi-Objective Antenna Placement Genetic Algorithm (MO-APGA) has been proposed for the synthesis of matched antenna arrays on complex platforms. The total number of antennas required, their position on the platform, location of loads, loading circuit parameters, decoupling and matching network topology, matching network parameters and feed network parameters are optimized simultaneously. The optimization goal was to provide a given minimum gain, specific gain discrimination between the main and back lobes and broadband performance. This algorithm is developed based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) technique for producing diverse solutions when the number of objectives is increased beyond two. The proposed method is validated through the design of a wideband airborne SAR

Planar compact array with parasitic elements for MIMO systems

A compact planar array with parasitic elements is studied to be used in MIMO systems. Classical compact arrays suffer from high coupling which makes correlation and matching efficiency to be worse. A proper matching network improves these lacks although its bandwidth is low and may increase the antenna size. The proposed antenna makes use of parasitic elements to improve both correlation and efficiency. A specific software based on MoM has been developed to analyze radiating structures with several feed points. The array is optimized through a Genetic Algorithm to determine parasitic elements position in order to fulfill different figures of merit. The proposed design provides the required correlation and matching efficiency to have a good performance over a significant bandwidth.

On the design of a planar phased array radar antenna architecture for space debris situational awareness

The Space Situational Awareness (SSA) program from the European Space Agency (ESA) protects Europe's citizens and their satellite-based services by detecting space hazards. ESA Ground Systems (GS) division is currently designing a phased array radar composed of thousands of radiating elements for future stages of the SSA program [1]. The radar shall guarantee the detection of most of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space debris, providing a general map of space junk. While range accuracy is mainly dictated by the radar waveform, the detection and tracking of small objects in LEO regimes is highly dependent on the angular accuracy achieved by the smart phased array antenna, demonstrating the important of the performance of this architecture.

GEODA-SARAS: Multi-Phased array planar antenna for satellite communications

Nowadays, earth stations have as a common feature the use of large reflector antenna for downloading data from satellites. Large reflectors have impairments such as mechanical complexity, low flexibility and high cost. Thus, the feasibility of other antenna technologies must be evaluated, such as conformal adaptive antennas based on multiple planar active arrays. In the scenery under study, the capability to track several satellites simultaneously, higher flexibility, lower production and maintenance cost, modularity and a more efficient use of the spectrum; are the most important advantage to boost up active antenna arrays over large dishes.