Design of a Relocatable Antenna Element Module for a Ku-Band Reconfigurable Array with Low Mutual Coupling

Abstract

In this study, a modular array antenna with low mutual coupling is proposed for operation in a Ku-band (12–18 GHz) reconfigurable array, which consists of a ground frame board, element blocks, spacing blocks, and connecting rods. The modular element blocks can be freely mounted at any positions on a 46 × 9 grid on the ground frame board. The proposed modular array structure can be used to easily check the performance of different array structures by changing the element positions due to its low mutual coupling characteristics. An expanded view of the proposed array antenna structure is also provided, showcasing how the antenna modules, ground modules, base ground, ground frames, and aluminum rods have been constructed. The value of mutual coupling measured between the adjacent elements is less than −22.9 dB in the E-plane and −18.5 dB in the H-plane. Moreover, the measured radiation efficiency and gain patterns of the active element are shown.

Keywords

• low mutual coupling
• modular array
• reconfigurable array
• wideband array antenna