Design of low-profile broadband dual-polarized integrated patch sub-array for X-band SAR payload on small satellite

Abstract

A practical low-profile broadband dual-polarized patch sub-array is designed for highly integrated X-band SAR payload on small satellite with enhanced isolation, suppressed cross-polarization and reduced side-lobe level. The proposed sub-array is lightweight with low profile (due to its tile structure realized by multi-layer PCB process). The proposed sub-array has 14-dB operating bandwidths of 0.7 GHz for both H- and V-pol radiations with isolation above 40 dB. It achieves the realized gain of 15 dBi. The side lobe levels are below -20 dB. The cross-to-co polarization ratios are lower than -40 dB at the bore-sight maximum-gain direction.