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Low-profile dual-CP antenna array using spiral sequential rotation technique for satellite communication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2026

Zhan Yu Kang Open the ORCID record for Zhan Yu Kang [Opens in a new window] ,
Lianxing He ,
Shaokang Pan ,
Dongliang Fei  and
Guang Liang
Zhan Yu Kang
Affiliation:
Innovation Academy for Microsatellites, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAMCAS), Shanghai, China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
Lianxing He*
Affiliation:
Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites, Shanghai, China
Shaokang Pan
Affiliation:
School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
Dongliang Fei
Affiliation:
Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites, Shanghai, China
Guang Liang
Affiliation:
Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites, Shanghai, China
*
Corresponding author: Lianxing He; Email: 13816474811@139.com
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Abstract

A low-profile dual-circularly polarized (CP) antenna array using spiral sequential rotation (SSR) technique is proposed. The array element consists of two stacked CP patches and a double-layer ceramic substrate with high dielectric constant. Dual CP radiations are accomplished by the slender rectangular structures on the radiators, which can excite two orthogonal characteristic modes. An extremely small size of 0.005λ3 (λ is the wavelength in free space for the low bands) and a wide 3-dB axial ratio beamwidth (ARBW) of 206° are achieved. Furthermore, the SSR technique is employed to achieve low cross-polarization level (XPL) within a large scanning angle. Prototype of a 6 × 6 array was fabricated and measured. Experimental results demonstrate that a wide 3-dB AR scanning angle of ± 55° is realized for LHCP as well as RHCP radiation. Additionally, low XPL less than −18.1 dB with gain fluctuation less than 4 dB are achieved over −55° ∼ + 55°. Meanwhile, the array has successfully passed the mechanical test and the thermal vacuum test (−90° ∼ + 90°). All the merits of dual-CP radiation, extremely low profile of 0.06λ, wide 3-dB AR scanning capability, and low XPL make our proposed dual-CP SSR antenna array be attractive candidate for satellite applications.

Keywords

cross-polarization level (XPL)dual-circular polarization (CP)low-profilesatellite applicationspiral sequential rotation (SSR)

Information

Type
Research Paper
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 17 , Issue 10 , December 2025 , pp. 1865 - 1874
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with The European Microwave Association.

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