Weather Forecasting Radar Antenna: An Application of Active Microstrip Antennas

In this paper we propose an original antenna structure which may be used in weather forecasting radars. It is composed of microstrip radiating elements, active circuits and microstrip power splitters. This antenna may take place of the heavy and expensive existing parabolic structures which are used in satellite communications or radar applications. We'll discuss the utility of its different components and the problems one may meet on the way of their realization. At the end we'll give some experimental results obtained only from certain components realized in our lab, the whole structure isn't yet realized. This work is supported and financed by Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers (I.N.S.U.).