The Optimum Design of A 3-10GHz Linear-polarized Fragmented Aperture Array with Integrated Balun

A linear-polarized fragmented aperture array operating over 3-10GHz is presented. The array element uses an integrated balun proposed in the planar ultrawideband modular antenna (PUMA) array, without external balun or hybrid. The array element is optimized using the embedded genetic algorithm (GA) toolbox of MATLAB together with the software Ansoft HFSS. The simulated VSWR in the whole operating frequency band is less than 3. The cross-polarization level in the E-plane is lower than that of the H-plane. Cross-polarization levels remain more than 15dB below the co-polarization out to 60° for both planes.