Design of compact monopulse standing wave slotted array in ku-band

Abstract

In modern radar and communication systems, high gain, high power capability and low-profile front-end antenna systems are frequently utilized. In this paper, a compact, lightweight, high reflection bandwidth and high gain slotted wave guide array antenna with monopulse capability operating in Ku- band is presented. Target application of this antenna is radio links with built-in tracking capability on airborne platforms. The presented system is simulated using ANSYS HFSS and has two key components: monopulse comparator/feed network and antenna section. The antenna is designed at 15 GHz and it is a planar array of 4×8 radiating slots with a gain greater than 21 dB at 15 GHz, side-lobe level (SLL) ≤ -13 dB, reflection bandwidth of 1062 MHz. Monopulse comparator network is planar Magic Tee based waveguide structure. The complete integrated system has maximum dimension of 12cm x 7.2cm x 4cm that makes it easy to house on an aircraft.