L-Band Antenna Array for Next Generation DLR Airborne SAR Sensor

The Microwaves and Radar Institute at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) operates an airborne versatile multi-frequency SAR sensor (F-SAR). Due to the applications of remote-sensing imaging at low frequencies, a new dual polarized L-Band antenna system for the next generation sensor is presented in this paper. Despite the restricted size of the used aircraft, the new antenna optimizes the available space in the antenna carrier by providing more antenna elements, in comparison with the current L-Band sensor, without increasing the inter-element mutual coupling and thereby enhancing the radiation properties of the antenna.