Implementation of 4 × 4 stacked patch array with corporate feeding network for Ku-band applications

In this work, the experimental implementation of a 4 × 4 stacked-patch array with linear polarization and a corporate feeding network for Ku-band is exposed. The feeding network is split into two levels, with an initial power distribution in Substrate Integrated Waveguide and a second distribution in microstrip technology. The experimental results show a matching coefficient better than -10 dB in a 15.9% bandwidth. In addition, the measured gain attains 16.8 dBi, 0.8 dB below the simulated gain, while radiation efficiency is 66 %. The structure is validated for higher-gain arrays, and hence designs of 8 × 8 and 16 × 16 radiating elements are also proposed and the simulated results presented. Therefore, antennas with several gain values are available in order to suit the different elements of the communication system, such as the end user and the base station.