Wideband wide flared corrugated horns designed for the Square Kilometre Array

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a wideband feed for the Square Kilometre Array, covering 2.8-5.18 GHz. At the start, a wide flared horn is developed based on an existed design and the results are not satisfactory. Hence this design is optimized for compact size and better performance at higher frequency. The simulation results show the redesigned horn with hybrid slots achieves excellent impedance and radiation performance. The simulated aperture efficiency is above 86% with shaped SKA dish optics, and the required sensitivity is satisfied over the operating frequency band.