A microstrip patch-fed short backfire antenna for the tracking and data relay satellite system-continuation (TDRSS-C) multiple access (MA) array

A novel microstrip patch-fed short backfire antenna has been presented here for the first time as a candidate antenna element for the next generation TDRSS-C MA array. This design meets nearly all the specifications required for the enhanced MA array antenna element and promises to provide a lightweight low cost alternative over other designs presently being considered (i.e., corrugated horn, helix, waveguide-fed SBA). Simulations performed using IE3D and MWS agree with measured data, thus far, and indicate an 11% 15-dB bandwidth and a maximum directivity of 15.2 dBi. Future work involves further optimization of the radiation characteristics and the construction of the complete short backfire antenna structure to verify simulated results