Wideband Low-Profile Circularly Polarized All-Metal Antenna for Triton Exploration

A low-profile, broadband 2x2 planar array constructed only of metal is proposed for space applications. The single element of the array is capable of generating circular polarization with a non-symmetrical (with respect to broadside) radiation pattern. Sequential rotation is introduced at the array level to correct the asymmetry of the beam and for improving the polarization purity. The resulting antenna radiates at broadside with a 12.5 dBi gain and impedance bandwidth of 18.22 %. Its overall size is 1.42 lambda x1.42 lambda x0.2817 lambda. The total volume of the antenna is 1.0961 x 10(-5) m(3) and the total weight is estimated at 42 g. It has been shown that the product gain-bandwidth is competitive as compared to available solutions in the literature.