Tracking antenna architectures based on an integrated mixer microstrip patch array

The object of this work is to design, develop and characterize both theoretically and experimentally a compact integrated mixer microstrip patch antenna which exhibits a low level of cross-polarization. Modelling of this antenna using various CAD techniques and supporting measurements has led to a clearer understanding of its operation and the optimization of its design. The attractiveness of such a frequency scaleable design lies in the inherent simplicity and ease with which it can be used to produce an intermediate frequency (IF) signal with minimum circuit complexity and low cross-polar levels. The operation of the integrated mixer antenna circuit is exploited under the phenomenon of injection locking for its potential for direct phase modulation and detection. It leads to new vistas of study such as IF phase-shifterless beam steering. Here the desired phased shift is derived through injection locking and achieved solely by the DC bias control, thus eliminating the need for phase shifters and feed networks. A self-tracking integrated mixer array has also been described which uses an in-band pilot carrier signal for self-calibration. By minor alteration of the integrated antenna topology, a minimum complexity variant of a heterodyne retrodirective array has then been realized. These tracking antenna architectures minimize the problems of cost, complexity and size limitations associated with conventional phased arrays. These are designed for emerging commercial applications and are resolutions of some trade-offs that balance performance, cost and reliability. Theoretical and experimental results are presented to show their performances and, in addition, the practical requirements relevant to these are also addressed. The results indicate that these tracking antenna architectures based on an integrated mixer microstrip patch array could form a synergistic link with other emerging technologies and can be to some extent embodied in future phased array designs. (author)