Design and Implementation of Ultra-Wideband Dual-Polarized Conformal Phased Array

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel ultra-wideband dual-polarized conformal phased array design that maintains stable performance under bending, supported by simulations and experimental validation, suitable for practical conformal array applications.

Contribution

It presents a new design method for ultra-wideband dual-polarized conformal arrays with a focus on stability under bending, including a cost-effective fabrication process and experimental validation.

Findings

Supports operation from 3.6 to 9.6 GHz with 90.9% bandwidth

Maintains stable performance at a 100 mm curvature radius

Achieves 60° wide-scanning in E- and H-planes

Abstract

This letter presents an innovative design and implementation method for an ultra-wideband dual-polarized conformal phased array. The performance of single-layer continuous dipoles under bending conditions is evaluated through characteristic mode analysis to understand the impact of curvature on operational stability. This analysis provides design insights into the maximum allowable curvature while maintaining stable dipole performance. Subsequently, a single-layer metal radiation structure is designed as the array element, and simulations indicate that it supports ultra-wideband operation with dual polarizations. Using this element, an 8 * 8 ultra-wideband dual-polarized cylindrical-conformal array (UDCA) is developed, demonstrating stable performance even at a curvature radius as small as 100 mm. A physical prototype is fabricated cost-effectively using novel manufacturing techniques that stack a three-layer conformal substrate. Experimental result demonstrates that the proposed UDCA with a 1.2{\lambda} curvature radius operates at 3.6~9.6 GHz (90.9%) and achieves 60{\deg} wide-scanning in E-/H-planes, which provides a practical and promising solution for conformal array applications.