Antenna array with switching scanning in elevation plane

It is known that the most reliable communication in hard-to-reach places such as the Arctic, Tundra, Taiga is satellite communication [1-5]. Therefore, for satellite communications, it is necessary to develop your own antenna arrays. This article discusses a waveguide-slot antenna array with a Luneburg lens for a mobile satellite communications terminal, which provides a continuous and stable signal. This antenna operates in the 10.9 to 14.5 GHz frequency range. Possesses vertical polarization. The overall dimensions of the antenna array are: diameter of the diagram-forming lens 256 mm (thickness 5 mm, material FLAN 2.8 (epsilon 2.8, tangent delta 0.0015)); waveguide length 600 mm (internal section 10.5 mm by 5 mm, filling FLAN 2.8). Slotted waveguide antennas and lens are made of standard FLAN 2.8 material (epsilon 2.8, tangent delta 0.0015) 5mm thick, foiled on both sides. There are 17 coaxial cables to the HF switch (equal lengths are not required), the scanning step in elevation is 5 degrees. When using 54 waveguide-slot antennas and 18 switch inputs, a scanning sector in elevation of 90 degrees is provided. All the nodes were pre-modeled separately a cylindrical Luneburg lens with suitable waveguides, excited by slits; slotted waveguide antennas; coaxial-waveguide transitions.