Ku-band 16/spl times/16 planar array with aperture-coupled microstrip-patch elements

The design and development of a Ku-band linearly polarized 16/spl times/16 microstrip-patch array is presented. The array is fed by a corporate network, using dog-bone shaped coupling apertures. Thin substrates and low-loss foam are used for antenna-bandwidth enhancement. The design of the radiating patches and feed network was aided by the commercial software package, Ensemble(R). Experimental results for the array, in terms of its return loss, radiation pattern, and gain, are presented.