Hybrid-Fractal Direct Radiating Antenna Arrays With Small Number of Elements for Satellite Communications

The fractal technique is proposed as an effective procedure for the design of direct radiating arrays (DRAs) with specific operational features, capable to serve a satellite communication network. Large fractal multibeam antenna arrays were synthesized, which meet the requirements of high end of coverage (EOC) directivity, low side lobe level and suppressed level of grating lobes. Their main advantage is the small number of elements and driving points, attributes that minimize the cost and the manufacturing complexity of the system. To obtain the high performance properties of the DRAs, the fractal algorithm was used as a fundamental process and then modification of the original arrays was made by deterministic concepts, and by combining fractal arrays with different generators. So, the entire complex process, produced arrays that would be termed as "hybrid - fractal" antenna arrays.