A Dual-Band Reflector Feed in Coaxial Configuration for Satellite Communication [Antenna Applications Corner]

This article presents the design, simulations, and measured results of a dual-band coaxial feed for satellite communication in the 2.4 and 10.45 GHz bands. The feed is designed for communication with the geostationary satellite, Es'hail 2 (scheduled to be launched in late 2018), which will be equipped with a public amateur radio transponder covering nearly one-third of the Earth's surface. A communication link can be established using a relatively low-power transmitter (Tx) employing conventional microwave technology. The proposed feed operates with linear polarization at the X-band and circular polarization at the S-band and has similar radiation patterns in both bands, providing high aperture efficiency for a broad range of reflector focal-to-diameter (f/D) ratios.