A High-gain and Beam-scanning Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub Array Antenna Based on Linear-gradient Stub at Ku Band

Abstract

A novel Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS) antenna element and array model is proposed in this paper. The bandwidth and gain of the element are increased by adopting a linear-gradient stub, matching structure, and rectangular grating slow-wave structure (SWS). A circular array can be obtained by arranging antenna units of different lengths linearly. The array antenna uses a bow-parabolic box antenna as the line source generator (LSG) and utilizes a double-layer transition waveguide structure to realize the propagation of planar wave. Finally, a wide range of beam scanning in the elevation plane was achieved. The results of the simulation and antenna prototype test are in good agreement. Showing the impedance matching characteristics of the antenna unit and array meets the engineering requirements in the range of 12 ∼ 16 GHz. The maximum gain of the antenna array is 34.3 dBi, and the maximum 3 dB beamwidth is less than 10 • . It is confirmed that the designed antenna has the characteristics of high gain, narrow beam, and low profile, and realizes two-dimensional beam scanning in the range of 6 ∼ 79 • in the elevation plane, which meets the requirements of the Satellite Communications On-the-Move system (SOTM).