A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental Validation
This paper presents the design, simulation, and experimental validation of a dual-Circularly Polarized (CP) array antenna to be used as single element for a bistatic radar system, aimed at detecting and tracking objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The antenna operates at 412 MHz in reception mode and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8439 |
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| author | Chiara Scarselli Guido Nenna Agostino Monorchio |
| author_facet | Chiara Scarselli Guido Nenna Agostino Monorchio |
| author_sort | Chiara Scarselli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper presents the design, simulation, and experimental validation of a dual-Circularly Polarized (CP) array antenna to be used as single element for a bistatic radar system, aimed at detecting and tracking objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The antenna operates at 412 MHz in reception mode and consists of an array of 19 slotted-patch radiating elements with a cavity-based metallic superstrate, designed to support dual circular polarization. These elements are arranged in a hexagonal configuration, enabling the array structure to achieve a maximum realized gain of 17 dBi and a Side Lobe Level (SLL) below −17 dB while maintaining high polarization purity. Two identical analog feeding networks enable the precise control of phase and amplitude, allowing the independent reception of Right-Hand and Left-Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP and LHCP) signals. Full-wave simulations and experimental measurements confirm the high performance and robustness of the system, demonstrating its suitability for integration into large-scale Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sensor networks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ea65ecf7efc74f95894d9ba951ec740e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-ea65ecf7efc74f95894d9ba951ec740e2025-08-20T03:36:35ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515843910.3390/app15158439A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental ValidationChiara Scarselli0Guido Nenna1Agostino Monorchio2Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyFree Space Srl, 56121 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyThis paper presents the design, simulation, and experimental validation of a dual-Circularly Polarized (CP) array antenna to be used as single element for a bistatic radar system, aimed at detecting and tracking objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The antenna operates at 412 MHz in reception mode and consists of an array of 19 slotted-patch radiating elements with a cavity-based metallic superstrate, designed to support dual circular polarization. These elements are arranged in a hexagonal configuration, enabling the array structure to achieve a maximum realized gain of 17 dBi and a Side Lobe Level (SLL) below −17 dB while maintaining high polarization purity. Two identical analog feeding networks enable the precise control of phase and amplitude, allowing the independent reception of Right-Hand and Left-Hand Circularly Polarized (RHCP and LHCP) signals. Full-wave simulations and experimental measurements confirm the high performance and robustness of the system, demonstrating its suitability for integration into large-scale Space Situational Awareness (SSA) sensor networks.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8439space surveillancedebris detectionbistatic radarhexagonal array configurationslotted-patch antenna |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Scarselli Guido Nenna Agostino Monorchio A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental Validation Applied Sciences space surveillance debris detection bistatic radar hexagonal array configuration slotted-patch antenna |
| title | A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental Validation |
| title_full | A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental Validation |
| title_fullStr | A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental Validation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental Validation |
| title_short | A Dual-Circularly Polarized Antenna Array for Space Surveillance: From Design to Experimental Validation |
| title_sort | dual circularly polarized antenna array for space surveillance from design to experimental validation |
| topic | space surveillance debris detection bistatic radar hexagonal array configuration slotted-patch antenna |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8439 |
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