Aperture efficiency of an EHF (30/20 GHZ) microstrip array

Aperture efficient antennas are required for optimum performance of small satellite terminals. The development of a dual band EHF (30/20 GHz) microstrip antenna will be presented with single Tx and Rx elements as well as sixteen element Tx and Rx subarrays. The design and measured performance of the array are presented, with special focus on the effects of subarray element spacing and fabrication processes on the aperture efficiency and gain of the antenna. Future plans are to evaluate the antenna with active elements (LNAs and SSPAs) at various locations in the subarrays.