| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/J03428/01 |
| Title: |
SUPERCONDUCTING CAVITY BACKED MICROWAVE ANTENNAS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Turner, Professor C |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Electronic Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Kings College London |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 1993 |
Ends: |
30 September 1995 |
Value (£): |
85,411
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| RF & Microwave Technology |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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1. Investigation of cabity backed antennas using HTS films, for transmitter applications at UHF and Microwave frequencies.2. Design of single element and small array antenna using parallel disc resonators with improved power handling.Progress:The programme of work for the first 12 months concentrated on an investigation of planar resonator structures of tri-plate, microstrip and CPW types, suitable for driving or coupling to radiating elements such as patches and slots. This study has included strip, circular disc and elliptical geometries particularly those modes with the smallest spurious radiation losses. For low temperature operation (~77K) the use of HTS epitaxial thin films deposited on single crystal substrates offers exceptionally low loss circuits for antenna applications with consequent improvements in efficiency and bandwidth possible. The use of planar HTS films, however, places significant restrictions on the type of structures that can be used. Our work has identified the planar systems most likely to emerge as the ain candidates for these applications. These need to be structures with low radiation loss, good power handling capability and a practicable means of coupling.The coupling has been given particular attention because cavity-backed or resonator-coupled antenna arrays are very heavily loaded devices requiring tight coupling methods. We have been able to show that gap coupling, commonly used with HTS resonators and filters, is not a realistic option for resonator driven arrays. Direct coupling methods have to be employed, in general, using superconducting feed lines. Planar resonators with open boundaries (magnetic walls) operating in high order modes (e.g. TM33) have been investigated theoretically and experimentally to determine their suitability for driving symmetrical arrays of slots and other radiating elements. We have also considered ways of suppressing the patch antenna mode of radiation, reducing the effects of the fringing fields by modifying the ground plane. The unavailability at the present time of large area (>10cm2) HTS films has led us to consider the alternative of coupled resonators as a preferred option to a monolithic overmoded planar resonator. Although some experimental delays have occurred because of the lack of suitable HTS films, we expect to be able to demonstrate the efficacy of the planar resonator-driven arrays during the next quarter and to complete the programme of work as planned.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
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| Description |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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