Compact and High Gain 4 x 4 Circularly Polarized Microstrip Patch Antenna Array for Next Generation Small Satellite

In this article, a high gain and compact 4 x 4 circularly polarized microstrip patch antenna array is reported for the data transmission of the next-generation small satellite. The radiating element of the circularly polarized antenna array is realized by the conventional model of the patch with truncated corners. A compact two-stage sequential rotational phase feeding is adopted that broadens the operating bandwidth of the 4 x 4 array. A small stub is embedded in the sequential rotational feed, which results in better performance in terms of the S-parameters and sequential phases at the output ports than sequential rotational feed without open stub. A prototype of the array is fabricated and measured. Fulfilling the application requirements of the next-generation small satellites, the array has the left-handed circularly polarized gain of more than 12 dBic with the axial ratio level below 1.5 dB in the +/- 10 degrees angular space with respect to the broadside direction for the whole bandwidth from 8.05 GHz to 8.25 GHz. Moreover, the left-handed circularly polarized gain varies from 15 to 15.5 dBic in the desired band. The radiation patterns are measured; both the co- and X-pol are validated.