Circularly Polarized Meshed Patch Antenna for Small Satellite Application

Abstract

A circularly polarized meshed patch antenna design is presented. The proposed antenna consists of two square meshed patches, which generate two orthogonal linear polarizations at two slightly different frequencies. A common proximity feedline is utilized to excite the two patches, and a 90 phase difference can be achieved between the two resonant frequencies, which is needed for circular polarization. The overall structure of this antenna is highly compatible with solar panels; thus, it is of great significance for small satellite applications. The measured results of the antenna prototype show that it has a 3-dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth of 15 MHz, a 10-dB impedance bandwidth of 2%, and a gain of 5.15 dB at its center frequency 2.47 GHz.Index Terms-Circular polarization, meshed patch antenna, solar cell integration.

The Strip-Ground Rectangular Patch Antenna

“…The patch antennas have been sliced into the meshed ones for different applications [9][10][11][12]. It is impossible to print the metal on glass if it exceeds a few millimeters across in the shaping/lamination process, so the authors designed the meshed patch antennas to overcome the difficulties [9], where the meshed ground caused the back radiation.…”

“…It is impossible to print the metal on glass if it exceeds a few millimeters across in the shaping/lamination process, so the authors designed the meshed patch antennas to overcome the difficulties [9], where the meshed ground caused the back radiation. The meshed patch antennas were also used in the tiny satellite application [10][11][12] to satisfy the requirements of both the solar cells and the communication. However, the meshed method did not cut off the current distribution but made it more complicated.…”

An Experimental Study on the Effect of Commercial Triple Junction Solar Cells on Patch Antennas Integrated on Their Cover Glass

“…Such an integration can be particularly valuable for a CubeSat (a very small satellite designed with modular components to have a minimum payload) [4] as the antennas, when effectively integrated with the solar cells, do not compete with solar cells for the limited surface real estate. There have been four main types of integrations reported: (1) antennas integrated under solar cells [1,[5][6][7]; (2) antennas integrated on the same plane with or on the side wall perpendicular to solar cells [8][9][10]; (3) antennas integrated on top of solar cells [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18], and (4) parts of the solar cells function as antenna [19][20][21] (the antenna in [7] also belongs to this category as the solar cell above the antenna acts as a parasitic elements of the antenna). The third type of integration is of particular interest and promise to a CubeSat system as the antenna topology, especially when it is small or optically transparent, facilitates a possible modular design.…”

GPS Patch Antenna Loaded With Fractal Ebg Structure Using Organic Magnetic Substrate

“…Circularly polarized patch antenna has the advantages of light weight, low profile, and ease of fabrication [1][2][3]. Because of these advantages, it is attractive in the global positioning system.…”