Broad-Band Circularly Polarized Ring-Slot Array Antenna for Simultaneous Use of the Orthogonal Polarizations

A novel broad-band ring-slot array antenna for simultaneous use of orthogonal polarizations is presented in this paper. In this antenna, the broad-band performance is obtained by integrating a 2x2 ring-slot array antenna and a broad-band pi/2 hybrid circuit. The simultaneous use of the right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) and the left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) is achieved using orthogonal feed circuits on three layers. The both-sided MIC technology is effectively employed in forming this type of slot array antenna. Experimental results show that the proposed antenna has good circular polarization characteristics for both the LHCP and the RHCP. The measured impedance-bandwidth of return loss better than -10 dB are about 47% both for the LHCP and the RHCP. The 3 dB axial ratio bandwidths are 25% (RHCP) and 29% (LHCP). The isolation between the two input ports is better than -35 dB at center frequency of 7.5 GHz.