Low–Profile Scanning Antenna Array Based on an Aperture-Coupled Element

In this article a low-profile antenna array based on an aperture-coupled element with wide-angle mechanoelectric scanning is considered. The scanning sector of the developed antenna array is 0°-60° by the criterion of the gain degradation by no more than 3 dB at a profile of the whole antenna equal to 48 mm. The developed aperture-coupled antenna element with two linear orthogonal polarizations has a multilayer structure and a gain of more than 7 dB in the frequency range from 10.7-12.75 GHz. The presented antenna array consists of eight identical subarrays, each consisting of 16 aperture-coupled radiators. Modeling and analysis of the directional characteristics of the antenna array based on an aperture-coupled element are performed. Conclusions about the applicability of the proposed antenna array based on the aperture-coupled element in satellite ground terminals, including for low-orbit and medium-orbit satellite communication systems.