Abstract

We propose a wide-band, low-loss, low-cost, and high-gain metallic phased-array for Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) systems. Such an array composed of 12 slot patch antennas with air substrate. The element of this array optimized for working in 950~1250MHz with a gain 9dBi. For using such an array in TACAN system, an iterative method is utilized for synthesizing a Cosecant-Squared Pattern (CSP). This method optimizes the element excitation in linear phased array and allows having fewer ripples in the shaped region and lower side lobe level (SLL). The obtained excitations by means of this method are realized using an all-metal feed network. Such a feed structure is not used any phase-shifter and its dimensions are optimized on air substrate to operate in wide-band frequency range, and be a low-loss, and low-cost structure. To validate the numerical and analytical results, the entire system, i.e., the antenna array along with its feed network is fabricated and successfully measured. The measurements on a 180cm×24cm array and 550mm×350mm feed network show CSP with a maximum gain 12.4dBi and SLL<-23dB at the central frequency of TACAN bandwidth (962~1213MHz).