Frequency-dependent behavioral-model-based nonlinear analysis and design of a low-profile transmit active phased array antenna

Abstract

Design and behavioral‐model‐based nonlinear analysis of a 3‐GHz active‐phased array antenna (APAA) are presented. Four nonlinear power amplifiers are employed in the output ports of the feeding network (FN) and analyzed based on a 5‐order polynomial model with frequency‐dependent coefficients. The FN is based on 4‐port new Gysel power dividers and combiners arranged in such a way to feed the array with Gaussian‐like amplitude and in‐phase distributions. Beam steering capability is obtained in 2 directions by a new technique including a phase shifter and an amplitude controller (AC). The features result in a low‐profile APAA whose design and fabrication complexity and cost are reduced. Single and 2‐tone power tests are performed to develop analytical expressions in nonlinear region for array factor as a function of the model, FN and the phase and ACs. A similar system with frequency‐independent model is also analyzed for comparison in terms of scan loss, beamwidth, side‐lobe level, beam position, and gain. A microstrip array antenna including the power amplifiers, pre‐amplifiers, AC, delay‐line‐based phase shifters and Gysels is fabricated and measured. The simulation results at the single and dual tones and the intermodulation products are presented which have a good agreement with the measurements.

Evaluation of a Planar Reconfigurable Phased Array Antenna Driven by a Multi-Channel Beamforming Module at Ka Band

“…In these analytical works, the active components associated with the antenna are known, whereas in MCMB-driven antennas, the particular layout of the utilized IC is unknown. For high-frequency purposes (as in the present work), it becomes extremely difficult to make room for active devices such the ones proposed in some of the references [47]- [50]. Thus, MCMB modules are of great relevance, and an analytical approach of a different active antenna scheme is also discarded.…”

“…This way, the performance of the IC in terms of axial ratio would be also tested. An additional research step would be to apply a formal mathematical analysis such as [47]- [50] to the IC that has been used. In this way, the behavior of the IC could be inferred and the active antenna calibration process would be possible.…”

“…However, it is true that many other papers employ numerous mathematical analysis techniques to infer the effects of devices such as amplifiers or phase shifters on the radiation pattern. For example, in [47] a 4element printed linear array with a beamforming novel technique, which uses a single ACt and a single phase shifter for the entire array, is analyzed. Moreover, it includes one additional amplifier for each radiating element, which is characterized by a frequency-dependent non-linear behavioral model.…”

Highly integrated transmitting and receiving phased array with multi‐channels and high efficiency in K/ Ka‐band SatCom application

“…7 Due to the advantages of low cost, low profile and easy fabrication, most of the antenna arrays reported in the literature use the microstrip radiator and microstrip beamforming networks. [4][5][6][7][8][9] However, microstrip-type phased arrays have inherent drawbacks of high loss, narrow bandwidth and low channel isolation. In Refs.…”