Non-Uniformly Fed Broadband CTS Array for Side Lobe Level Reduction is E-plane

International audienceWe propose here a new architecture of parallel-fed Continuous Transverse Stub (CTS) antenna array based on nonuniform power dividers. The antenna comprises 16 slots fed in parallel by a parallel plate waveguide (PPW) corporate feeding network and a pillbox PPW coupler. For the first time, this network divides non-uniformly the power among the slots to achieve reduced side lobe levels (SLL) in E-plane. This is made possible by the development of a novel asymmetrical power divider in PPW technology. A CTS array has been designed in E-band (71-86 GHz) and validated by full-wave simulations over the entire bandwidth, with SLL below -28.5dB both in E- and H-planes. The gain remains stable between 71 and 86 GHz and in the range of 25 dBi. © 2018 IEEE

Switched-beam E-band transmitarray antenna for point-to-point communications

International audienceSwitched-beam transmitarray antennas operating at E band (71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz) are investigated in the perspective of self-alignment applications for point-to-point wireless communication links, which play an increasing role in modern mobile networks infrastructures. Several designs are presented covering either one or both sub-bands. Simulation results exhibit promising performance with gain levels in the range of 31-35.1 dBi for a 100-mm diameter aperture. The design of a switched focal array is presented and enables the coverage of an angular sector of ±6.6° with 5.1 dB gain variation in the lower band and ±6.9° with 6.8 dB gain variation in the upper band. © 2017 Euraap

A low-profile and high-gain continuous transverse stub antenna using PCB-air hybrid technology

International audienceWe present the design and simulation of a high-gain low-profile Continuous Transverse Stub (CTS) antenna array excited by a parallel-plate PCB-made Beam Forming Network (BFN). The radiating part consists of 32 radiating slots fed in parallel by hollow parallel-plate waveguides. The pillbox coupler exciting the CTS array is designed on a dual-layer organic dielectric stack-up using SIW technology. This PCB-air hybrid assembly technique reduces the fabrication complexity of the entire antenna system, and simultaneously allows minimizing the total insertion loss. The antenna is matched below -19dB over the 71-86GHz band, and its gain remains larger than 30dBi within a +/-9° scanning range across the same frequency band. The overall antenna efficiency is higher than 50%. This flat antenna solution is attractive for high-performance backhaul communication systems in E-band. © 2016 IEEE

Wideband multibeam arrays of long slots fed by quasi-optical systems

International audienceThis paper summarizes the latest advances on an innovative, broadband multibeam antenna, proposed for satellite communications by the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications of Rennes (IETR), in the framework of a collaborative research with the French Space Agency (Centre National d'Iîtudes Spatiales). The antenna comprises an array of long slots, parallelfed by a corporate feed network of parallel plate waveguides. An integrated quasi-optical beamformer, illuminated by a single horn or by a focal array of horns, excites the feed network. The beam scanning can be achieved both mechanically and electronically. The numerical models developed for the analysis and design are reviewed. The experimental results presented for a Ka-band design demonstrates the wideband, wide-angle scanning performance of the proposed architecture. Finally, future research lines for achieving circular polarization are projected. The proposed antenna concept is particularly suitable for high throughput ground terminals on moving platforms. © 2017 Euraap

Review on wideband and compact CTS arrays at millimeter waves

International audienceIn this paper, three state-of-the-art parallel-fed continuous transverse stub (CTS) arrays are presented. They operate at various frequency bands ranging from 20 GHz up to 86 GHz. The multiple capabilities of this architecture, such as side-lobe level reduction, active beam switching, and wideband operation with an ultra-low-profile, are here reviewed. Moreover, the suitability of the antenna concept for multiple fabrication technologies is demonstrated. The performance and key design solutions of three prototypes manufactured using milling techniques, low-temperature co-fired ceramic and printed circuit board technology are showcased. © 2021 IEICE

Low-Profile CTS Array in PCB Technology for K/Ka-Band Applications

International audienceIn this paper, an ultra-low-profile wideband continuous transverse stub (CTS) array is presented. The antenna module is fully realized in multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) technology, comprising 9 dielectric substrates. Particularly, the radiating part consists of long slots etched on the top of the eighth dielectric substrate. The slots are parallel-fed by a corporate feed network made of vertical parallel-plate waveguides (PPW), using via-fences. A pillbox system, embedded into two substrates, is employed to feed the slots with a line source. The antenna module is low cost and presents a very low form factor. A prototype was fabricated and measured in the K/Ka-band. The antenna array provides a pencil-beam radiation for angles of scanning as far as ±24° along the azimuth plane parallel to the slots. The input reflection coefficient is below -10 dB in the frequency range 19-31 GHz (48% of relative bandwidth). The maximum realized gain is 21 dB at 29 GHz

Review on CTS Antenna Arrays for Millimeter Wave Applications

International audienceIn this paper, three state-of-the-art compact parallel-fed continuous transverse stub (CTS) arrays are presented. They operate at various frequency bands ranging from K-band to E-band. Antennas features such as the bandwidth, side-lobe level, and scanning capability are reviewed. Different fabrication technologies are adopted to implement the presented antenna concept such as milling, low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) and printed circuit board (PCB) technology

A Low-Profile Broadband 32-Slot Continuous Transverse Stub Array for Backhaul Applications in E-Band

International audienceA high-gain, broadband, and low-profile continuous transverse stub antenna array is presented in E-band. This array comprises 32 long slots excited in parallel by a uniform corporate parallel-plate-waveguide beamforming network combined to a pillbox coupler. The radiating slots and the corporate feed network are built in aluminum whereas the pillbox coupler and its focal source are fabricated in printed circuit board technology. Specific transitions have been designed to combine both fabrication technologies. The design, fabrication, and measurement results are detailed, and a simple design methodology is proposed. The antenna is well matched (S11 andlt; -13.6 dB) between 71 and 86 GHz, and an excellent agreement is found between simulations and measurements, thus validating the proposed design. The antenna gain is higher than 29.3 dBi over the entire bandwidth, with a peak gain of 30.8 dBi at 82.25 GHz, and a beam having roughly the same half-power beamwidth in E- and H-planes. This antenna architecture is considered as an innovative solution for long-distance millimeter-waves telecommunication applications such as fifth-generation backhauling in E-band. © 2017 IEEE

Broadband CTS antenna array at E-band

International audienceA compact 32-slot continuous transverse stub (CTS) antenna array operating at E-band is proposed here. It is excited by a hollow parallel plate waveguide (PPW) corporate feed network to insure a broad band operation. A parabolic pillbox coupler is used to create the requested current line exciting for the PPW beamformer. The pillbox coupler is fed by a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) horn located in the focal plane of the parabola. The most important features of the antenna building blocks are described in detail, and the numerical results demonstrate the excellent performance of the proposed antenna. A reflection coefficient lower than -19 dB and a gain larger than 31 dBi are obtained over a 19% fractional bandwidth spanning between 71 and 86 GHz. The proposed antenna architecture is an innovative solution for E-band backhauling applications for next generation 5G networks. © 2017 Euraap

Recent and future research trends in planar multi-beam antennas in the millimeter wave range at IETR-France

International audienceA review of some flat multi-beam antennas developed at IETR during the last 5 years (2010-2015) is reported. These antennas are based on quasi-optical and circuit-based beam forming networks (BFNs). The enhanced scanning capabilities of the proposed solutions will be shown. In addition, some antennas integrate antenna functions like monopulse techniques to enhance the angular resolution for tracking applications. The main concepts and features of the developed antennas will be reported. These antennas operate in different frequency band in the millimeter wave range and are realized with different fabrication processes. © 2016 IEICE