Design of Dielectric Resonator Antenna Array With Wide-Angle Scanning Based on Dual Magnetic Currents

A wide-beam dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) and its related phased array with wide-angle scanning are presented in this article. To improve the scanning coverage and cross polarization discrimination (XPD) simultaneously, the wide-beam method utilizes dual magnetic currents (MCs) in the same direction. The operating principle is theoretically analyzed using suspended MC theory. Two wide-beam DRAs working in TE1 delta 1 gamma and TE1 delta 3 gamma modes with parasitic loops are studied to verify the presented beam-broadening method. The simulated 3 dB beamwidths of the two DRAs are higher than 205 degrees and 140 degrees in the E- and H-planes, respectively. Two wide-beam DRAs operating at 5.5 GHz were fabricated and measured. Based on the wide-beam DRA element, the passive eight-element array antenna and three feeding networks corresponding to scanning angles of 0 degrees, 40 degrees, and 80 degrees were machined. The total array system is verified to have an enhanced beam scanning angle of +/- 85 degrees with a gain fluctuation of 2.5 dB. The co-polarization is stable and the XPD is greater than 20 dB for any scanning angle.

Automated summary

This article presents a wide-beam dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) and its related phased array with wide-angle scanning. The wide-beam method improves scanning coverage and cross polarization discrimination (XPD) by utilizing dual magnetic currents (MCs) in the same direction. The theoretical analysis and experimental results prove the effectiveness of the wide-beam method in improving the beam scanning angle and stability of the antenna system.