Research staff: Dr Wenxing Tang and Prof George Goussetis
External collaborators: Herve Legay, Daniel Bresciani and Renaud Chiniard from Thales Alenia Space
Funding bodies: European Space Agency (ESA)
Duration: May 2013-2016
Project Description: Several dual-optics antenna architectures with polarisation sensitive screens in linear polarisation (LP) have been developed and the concept has been proven to perform well in LP. The primary aim of this project is to underpin the development of a CP equivalent for the LP DGR antenna. We consider as a valuable background the many DGR or LP-selective screens solutions that were developed. Their potential upgrade in circular polarisation (CP) will be investigated, as well as their potential application. The most attractive application is foreseen for a multiple beam coverage antenna. The emergence of multiple beam coverage requirements in C, Ku and Ka bands brings renewed interest in DGR concepts with regards to reducing the number of antennas in the antenna farm. The conventional solution for multibeam missions requires 4 SFPB antennas. An aim of this activity is to demonstrate technological solutions that will enable reducing the number of antennas in the antenna farm in this scenario. A range of possible solutions will be reviewed both in antenna level and circular polarization (CP) surface level. At least two solutions will be designed in detail including RF analyses, assessment of mechanical and thermal aspects, sensitivity analyses and power handling aspects. Manufacturing and accommodation issues will also be addressed. The CP-surface associated with the most proposing solution will be manufactured to demonstrate feasibility of the concept. Finally, updating the antenna performance prediction based on the critical item testing will be conducted to prove the validity of the CP dual-optics concept.
List of papers:
[2] W. Tang, G. Goussetis, H. Legay, D. Bresciani, R. Chiniard, N.J.G. Fonseca, C. Mangenot, “Dual-Band Dual-Polarization LP To CP Reflectors And Their Applications In Spaceborne Antennas,” 36th ESA Antenna Workshop on Antennas and RF Systems for Space Science, ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 6-9 Oct. 2015.
[3] W. Tang, G. Goussetis, H. Legay, N.J.G. Fonseca, E.Saenz and P.Maagt, “Coupled split-ring resonator circular polarization selective surface,” IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., (accepted).
[4] W. Tang, G. Goussetis, H. Legay, N. G. Fonseca, “Low-profile compact dual-band unit cell for polarizing surfaces operating in orthogonal polarizations,” IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., (submitted).
Patents: One patent in progress (Polarizing reflector for multiple beam antennas)
