Engineering topics

Pozar, David M.

Publications and source records attributed to Pozar, David M..

4 records

NASA NTRS1999

An L/X Dual-Band Dual-Polarized Shared-Aperture Array for Spaceborne SAR

Spaceborne synthetic aperture radar antennas have many special electrical requirements, such as operation at multiple frequencies with multiple polarization ability, with fairly wideband operation being required at these frequencies. They are also required to be electrically large, giving rise to issues such as low mass, easy and reliable deployability, and low cost. This paper describes the results of a prototype SAR array developed with these considerations in mind. The prototype antenna is a dual-frequency array operating at L and X bands, with dual linear polarization capability at both bands. This array shares the same radiating aperture for both bands and both polarizations, as was done in [l]. The prototype antenna described can also be used as a single module in a much larger array.

Targonski, Stephen D.↗

NASA NTRS1998

A Dual-Band Dual-Polarized Array for Spaceborne SAR

Future synthetic aperture radar antennas will be significantly more sophisticated than their earlier counterparts, requiring enhanced electrical capabilities such as operation at multiple frequencies with multiple polarization ability, as well as desirable non-electrical features such as light weight, easy and reliable deployability, and low cost. The present paper describes the results of a prototype SAR array developed with these considerations in mind. This paper will describe the development of a dual-frequency array operating at L and C bands, with dual linear polarization capability at both bands. Unlike most earlier dual-band arrays, this array shares the same radiating aperture for both bands and both polarizations, resulting the smallest possible aperture area for a given gain specification. A critical constraint in this project was a requirement for an extremely light weight package, leading to the use of foam substrates with thin dielectric membranes for metalizations of the radiating elements and feed networks.

Pozar, David M.↗

NASA NTRS1998

A Microstrip Reflect Array Using Crossed Dipoles

Microstrip reflect arrays offer a flat profile and light weight, combined with many of the electrical characteristics of reflector antennas. Previous work [1]-[7] has demonstrated a variety of microstrip reflect arrays, using different elements at a range of frequencies. In this paper we describe the use of crossed dipoles as reflecting elements in a microstrip reflectarray. Theory of the solution will be described, with experimental results for a 6" square reflectarray operating at 28 GHz. The performance of crossed dipoles will be directly compared with microstrip patches, in terms of bandwidth and loss. We also comment on the principle of operation of reflectarray elements, including crossed dipoles, patches of variable length, and patch elements with tuning stubs. This research was prompted by the proposed concept of overlaying a flat printed reflectarray on the surface of a spacecraft solar panel. Combining solar panel and antenna apertures in this way would lead to a reduction in weight and simpler deployment, with some loss of flexibility in independently pointing the solar panel and the antenna. Using crossed dipoles as reflectarray elements will minimize the aperture blockage of the solar cells, in contrast to the use of elements such as microstrip patches.

Pozar, David M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Near millimeter wave imaging/multi-beam integrated antennas

Some preliminary results on a mixer design which is suitable for integration with tapered slot antennas have been obtained and published. This mixer design was tested both in a 4 to 10 GHz model, and (slightly modified) at 94 GHz. The latter utilized the same Hewlett-Packard beam-lead diodes which were used as detector diodes in the linearly tapered slot antennas (LTSA) arrays. These diodes are the most rugged to be found, and generally survive well on the flexible Kapton substrates. The 4 to 10 GHz version of this mixer has less than 6 dB conversion loss over an octave bandwidth. It uses a slot ring in a balanced configuration, and requires the LO to be fed through a separate port. A different design for a mixer which may be integrated with an LTSA antenna element is discussed. This mixer was tested at 38 GHz with the same HP beam-lead diodes, and has less than 10 dB conversion loss. Further work on mixers has emphasized theoretical modeling, using a computer program, which takes into account the effect of excess noise of Schottky-barrier diodes for the first time. Calculated results agree quantitatively with measured results on millimeter wave mixers.

Yngvesson, K. Sigfrid↗