Dual-circularly polarized parabolic reflector antenna with microstrip antenna array for 12-GHz band satellite broadcasting reception

摘要

NHK will start test satellite broadcasting of UHDTV in 2016 and practical broadcasting in 2018. The test broadcasting will be provided in the 12-GHz (11.7 to 12.75 GHz) band by using right-hand circular polarization. We are planning to provide multiple UHDTV programs for the practical broadcasting by using left-hand circular polarization in the same frequency band. For the UHDTV satellite broadcasting reception, we manufactured and tested a dual-circularly polarized reflector antenna that has a feed antenna composed of a 2 × 2 microstrip antenna array. Measured results showed that the fabricated antenna complied with our requirements, with voltage standing wave ratio of less than 1.4, antenna gain of 34.5 dBi (i.e., the aperture efficiency was 69 %) and cross polarization discrimination of 28.7 dB. In the future, we will improve the sidelobe characteristics.