Rf design concept of a wide-band L-band SAR spacecraft antenna

摘要

At L-band the most practical implementation of space borne SAR antennas requires the use of microstrip radiating elements. However, printed antennas are usually characterized by inherently narrow bandwidth which limits the range resolution capability of the system. In order to develop an L-band SAR antenna design with enhanced bandwidth performance Spar and CAL have performed studies aimed at 5% (1.5 VSWR) bandwidth. Other design drivers have included low mass, high gain, good sidelobe control and low cross-polarization. The results of these studies are presented here as a conceptual design for an L-band SAR antenna which is able to meet typical requirements derived from data user needs.