V.O. Osipova1, N.A. Trefilov2, A.V. Shpak3, N.A. Alyoshkin4

1-3 RTU MIREA (Moscow, Russia)

4 BSTU “VOENMEH” named after D.F. Ustinov (Saint Petersburg, Russia

1 osipova@mirea.ru; 2 shpak@mirea.ru; 3 trefilov@mirea.ru; 4 ales_nikita@mail.ru

This article presents the development of a combined wide-band irradiator for parabolic antennas used in satellite communication systems. The research is motivated by the need for a single irradiator capable of operating across multiple frequency bands (e.g., X and Ka) with different circular polarizations, thereby eliminating the requirement for multiple separate antennas or complex switching systems when the signal source is co-located.

The proposed design is based on a planar logarithmic spiral antenna, chosen for its stable radiation pattern, consistent input impedance, and fixed phase center across a wide operating bandwidth. The irradiator integrates four spiral conductors with a common center, arranged with 90-degree angular shifts. Two conductors form a two-arm planar logarithmic spiral antenna for right-hand circular polarization, while the other two form a similar structure for left-hand circular polarization. This configuration enables the generation of orthogonal circular polarizations within a single compact unit. The irradiator includes a reflector to achieve unidirectional radiation.

The design process involved parametric modeling of the spiral shape and numerical simulation using CST Studio Suite. The initial stage focused on optimizing a single two-arm spiral antenna without a dielectric substrate to refine conductor geometry, input impedance, and radiation pattern. The final optimized design features narrow conductors to minimize mutual shielding, resulting in a main lobe beamwidth of 84-87 degrees, suitable for a single-reflector antenna.

Subsequent simulations modeled the combined dual-polarized irradiator with the reflector, optimizing for Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) and radiation pattern shape across the target frequency band. The results demonstrate acceptable VSWR values and stable, symmetric radiation patterns for both polarizations at key frequencies (18 GHz and 26 GHz). The study confirms the feasibility of using this combined wide-band irradiator in single-reflector circularly polarized antennas, achieving a threefold frequency coverage with reliable performance.

Osipova V.O., Trefilov N.A., Shpak A.V., Alyoshkin N.A. Combined wide-band mirror antenna irradiator. Radiotekhnika. 2026. V. 90. № 4. P. 158−164. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j00338486-202604-18 (In Russian)

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