Evaluation of a Ku-Band Wide-Angle Scanning Phased Array with Active Beamforming Circuits

An antenna design of interleaved parasitic arrays antenna (IPAA) in Ku band is demonstrated, achieving low active VSWR in a fractional bandwidth of 15% in Ku band, at large scan angles up to ±70° in elevation. A process of design and validation for antenna arrays integrated with measured RFIC beamformers is proposed. The methodology is presented in a step-by-step manner from the verification of the beamforming functioning of the RFIC, through the antenna design, and finally, to the co-simulation with the measured active beamformers. It provides a reliable guideline for the prototyping of any planar active phased array and a valid reference to the measurement of the final array.