Dual-Polarized Printed S-Band Radar Array Antenna for Spacecraft Applications

A novel dual-polarized broadband antenna array for S-band is presented. This antenna is composed of 6
$\,\times\,$
2 microstrip antenna elements with a hybrid feed-line network providing an isolation
$\geq$
18.6 dB between the H- and V-ports. The operative bandwidth is from 3.15 to 3.25 GHz, and the peak measured gain is approximately 19 dBi. The array is suitable for spacecraft operation because of the selected materials, its low profile (
$\sim$
8 mm thickness), and light weight. It has potential applications in synthetic aperture radar (SAR), remote sensing, and wireless communications.