Low-Cost Ka-band Switchable RHCP/LHCP Antenna Array for Mobile SATCOM Terminal

Achieving a functional antenna for mobile satellite communications terminals in Ka-band is probably one of the most challenging tasks in current antenna engineering, particularly bearing in mind they need to be low profile and “affordable.” This quest is involving many companies in the field. Our contribution represents one of such efforts. The antenna is based on a slotted waveguide array technology to maximize efficiency and it features a number of novel solutions, going from its robust polarization switching mechanism, to the use of a thin wideband polarizer and the utilization of groove gap waveguides. This communication reports the measured data of a fully functional prototype to validate its novel contributions.