Ku-band dual-polarized array of connected dipoles for satcom terminals: Theory and hardware validation

We present a Ku-band dual-polarized phased array demonstrator for satellite communications. The prototype array is composed by 512 connected-dipole elements, 16×16 for each polarization, arranged in an egg-crate configuration. A loop-shaped feed structure is used to maintain good polarization purity for beam scanning up to 60 degrees in any azimuth plane. Simulations show a wideband operation on a frequency range from 10.7 to 14.5 GHz, to cover both the downlink and uplink satcom bands. Assembling of the array is currently being performed and results from the measurement campaign will be possibly presented at the conference.