A Lightweight, Low-Cost, S-Ku Band Dual-Polarized Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna Array for Next-Generation Airborne Systems

Abstract

The Advanced Aperture Solutions team at L3Harris Technologies presents an 8x8 lightweight, dual-linear polarized, 9:1 bandwidth Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (AVA) array. This multi-octave electronically scanned array (ESA) provides an active voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) less than 3.5:1 across the S - Ku band from -45° to +45° scan angles currently for receive-only applications. The array is designed with a top substrate layer that serves as a mechanical support structure as well as a wide angle impedance matching (W AIM) layer to account for impedance mismatches as the array is steered to varying scan angles. This dual-linear polarization AVA array achieves 9:1 bandwidth for both horizontal and vertical polarizations while maintaining low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) making it an attractive solution for modern airborne applications.