Abstract
A low-profile dual-polarized dual-beam scanning antenna array based on holographic control theory is presented. Radiating elements are designed so that, by controlling the states of PIN diodes integrated in each element, reconfigurable polarization and radiation phase modulation are achieved. A 72-channel series-parallel equal-amplitude in-phase feeding network is integrated with the radiating array to realize the low-profile characteristic. By designing DC bias circuits and digitally encoding the array with a microcontroller, two-dimensional dynamic and accurate beam steering is achieved. A 2-element subarray and a 6x12 array were fabricated, and the digitally controllable radiation pattern characteristics were experimentally validated. The antenna system can scan beams from -30 to 30 degrees at 11 GHz with 5-degree step increments. The system features compact size, low cost, ease of integration, and accurate beam control, with applications in radar systems and smart antennas.
Design and Implementation
The design employs specially configured radiating units whose polarization and radiation phase are reconfigured by switching PIN diodes embedded in each element. Integration of a 72-channel series-parallel equal-amplitude in-phase feeding network with the radiating array produces a low-profile form factor. DC bias networks were designed to enable microcontroller-based digital encoding of the array, providing two-dimensional dynamic beam steering with precise angular control. Prototypes included a 2-element subarray and a full 6x12 array, and measurements validated the digitally controlled radiation pattern performance.
Experimental Results
Measured results show beam scanning from -30 to 30 degrees at 11 GHz with 5-degree step resolution. The array demonstrates compact size, manufacturability, and accurate beam control suitable for integration into radar and smart antenna systems.
Authors
Shichao Zhu received his BS degree from the School of Electrical and Automation Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang, China in 2020. He received his MS degree from the College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China, under the supervision of Prof. Gaosheng Li. His research interests include reconfigurable antennas, phased arrays, and electromagnetic metamaterials and their antenna applications.
Gaosheng Li received his BS degree in electromagnetic field and microwave and his MS and PhD degrees in electronic science and technology from the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT), Changsha, China in 2002, 2004, and 2013, respectively. He served at NUDT as a teaching assistant (2004–2006), lecturer (2006–2011), and associate professor (2011–2017). He joined Hunan University as a professor in 2018. From 2014 to 2016, he was with Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Wuxi Huace Electronic System Co., Ltd. as a postdoctoral research fellow. From 2016 to 2017, he was a visiting scholar at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, sponsored by the China Scholarship Council. His research interests include antennas and propagation, electromagnetic compatibility, wireless propagation, and microwave systems. He is the author or coauthor of books and papers and holds patents and software copyrights relevant to his research.
