Compact front module with integrated miniaturised antenna in package for parabolic reflector antenna in satellite ground terminals

Abstract

A compact front module with integrated miniaturised antenna in package for parabolic reflector antenna is presented for GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A) satellite ground terminal application at 1692 MHz. The active feeder antenna module consists of four parts: a pair of miniaturised slot antennas, a pair of differential feeding lines, a metal shielding box, and front circuits, including a low noise amplifier (LNA) and a surface acoustic wave bandpass filter (SAW BPF). To reduce the lateral size of the feeder antennas and obtain required radiation patterns, meandered radiation slots are suggested and fed by a pair of differential coplanar waveguide (CPW) lines. The antenna substrate serves as the module cover and the electromagnetic shielding with a lateral size of 48 × 48 mm² (0.27 × 0.27 ${\lambda }^2$). Additionally, the feeder antenna module is proven to work with the specified parabolic reflector, both in theory and simulation. The front module with the packaged antenna is fabricated, and the measured output gain exceeds 20 dBi within a desired narrow band. Moreover, the module also achieves excellent performance in the GK-2A satellite signal-receiving experiment when used to feed the parabolic reflector antenna. The entire front module exhibits good package integration and application performance.