Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST

Jinglong Yu; Hongfei Liu; Jianbin Li

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12

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Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST

Jinglong Yu^*

, Hongfei Liu, Jianbin Li

Published in Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 3)

Received: 11 March 2025 Accepted: 17 May 2025 Published: 11 June 2025

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Abstract

Five hundred-meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) is a multi-disciplinary basic research platform that is used for a wide range of astronomy research. Currently, narrow-band multi-beam feed are primarily employed for observation. The development of ultra-wide broadband feed system is beneficial for covering more scientific objectives, while also giving full play to the advantages of the FAST huge reception area in wider frequency band. This paper focuses on the 0.5-3.3GHz feed design, which has better than 10 dB simulated return loss across the bandwidth with the method of using fitting curves and dielectric loading and adding corrugated structures to improve the performance of quad ridge flared horn (QRFH). A centrally positioned PTFE dielectric rod regulates electromagnetic wave phase velocity, enhancing radiation directivity and main lobe symmetry. The dielectric rod is formed by two concentric layers with the same dielectric constant but different structures. The outer layer is evenly slotted to reduce its dielectric constant. The addition of the above technical means ensures the symmetry of the E-plane and H-plane far-field patterns, making the aperture efficiency of the feed relatively balanced over 6.6:1 bandwidth. This kind of feed is designed with an emphasis on performance, ease of tuning and manufacturability compared to the case of multi-layer dielectric rods.

Published in	Science Discovery (Volume 13, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12
Page(s)	46-50
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Quad Ridge Flared Horn, Radio Telescope, Ultra-wide Band, Feed, Reflector Antenna

References

[1]	Jiang, P., Tang, N.-Y., Hou, L.-G., Liu, M.-T., Krčo, M., Qian, L, et al. The fundamental performance of FAST with 19-beam receiver at L band. Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2020, 20(5), 064. https://doi.org/10.1088/1674-4527/20/5/64
[2]	Rikard Olsson; P-S Kildal; Sander Weinreb. The eleven antenna: a compact low-profile decade bandwidth dual polarized feed for reflector antennas, Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Transactions on. February 2006, 54(2): 368-375. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2005.863392
[3]	P -S Kildal; Jian Yang; Y. Karandikar; N. Wadefalk; M. Pantaleev; L. Helldner. Development of a coolable 2-14 GHz eleven feed for future radio telescopes for SKA Application. 2009. ICEAA. International Conference on, September 2009; Pages 545-547. https://doi.org/10.1109/iceaa.2009.5297343
[4]	Jian Yang; P-S Kildal; Miroslav Pantaleev. Design of Compact Dual-Polarized 1.2–10 GHz Eleven Feed for Decade Bandwidth Radio Telescopes, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 60, No. 5, May 2012; 2110-2117. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2012.2189732
[5]	G. Cortes-Medellin. Non-planar quasi-self-complementary ultra-wideband feed antenna. Antennas and propagation. IEEE Transactions on, Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Transactions on. June 2011, 59(6): 1935-1944. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2011.2122226
[6]	Leeuwen J V, Team T A .The Allen Telescope Array: The First Widefield, Panchromatic, Snapshot Radio Camera for Radio Astronomy and SETI [J]. Proceedings of the IEEE, 2009, 97(8):1438-1447. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2009.2017103
[7]	A. Akgiray; S. Weinreb; W. Imbriale. Design and measurements of dual polarized wideband constant beam-width quadru-ple-ridged flared horn. In Antennas and Propagation (APSURSI), 2011 IEEE International Symposium on, July 2011, Pages 1135-1138. https://doi.org/10.1109/aps.2011.5996723
[8]	A kgiray; A., Weinreb. S. Ultra-wideband square and circular quad-ridge horns with near constant beam-width. IEEE Inter-national Conference on Ultra-wideband (ICUWB), 2012. https://doi.org/10.1109/icuwb.2012.6341725
[9]	Akgiray A, Weinreb S, Imbriale W A, et al.Circular Quadruple-Ridged Flared Horn Achieving Near-Constant Beamwidth Over Multi-octave Bandwidth: Design and Measurements [J]. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2013, 61(3):1099-1108. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2012.2229953
[10]	Dunning A; Bowen M; et al. An ultra-wideband dielectrically loaded quad-ridged feed horn for radio astronomy. IEEE-APS Topic Conference. Turin, Italy: IEEE, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1109/APWC.2015.7300159
[11]	Chen T S. Calculation of the Parameters of Ridge Waveguides. Ire Transactions on Microwave Theory & Techniques. 2003, 5(1): 12-17. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMTT.1957.1125084
[12]	Sun W, Balanis C A .Analysis and design of quadruple-ridged waveguides [J]. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory & Techniques, 1994, 42(12):2201-2207. https://doi.org/10.1109/22.339743
[13]	Granet. C. Profile options for feed horn design. IEEE Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference Proceedings, Sydney, NEW, Australia, 2000: 1448-1451. https://doi.org/10.1145/368434.368497
[14]	Chen C C, Rao K R, Lee R .A new ultrawide-bandwidth dielectric-rod antenna for ground-penetrating radar applications [J]. IEEE Transactions on Antennas & Propagation, 2003, 51(3): 371-377. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAP.2002.802081.
[15]	Liu, C.-W., & Chen, C.-C.. A UWB Three-Layer Dielectric Rod Antenna With Constant Gain, Pattern and Phase Center. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 2012, 60(10), 4500–4508. https://doi.org/10.1109/tap.2012.2207357

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APA Style

Yu, J., Liu, H., Li, J. (2025). Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST. Science Discovery, 13(3), 46-50. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12

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ACS Style

Yu, J.; Liu, H.; Li, J. Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(3), 46-50. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12

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AMA Style

Yu J, Liu H, Li J. Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST. Sci Discov. 2025;13(3):46-50. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12

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@article{10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12,
  author = {Jinglong Yu and Hongfei Liu and Jianbin Li},
  title = {Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST
},
  journal = {Science Discovery},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {46-50},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251303.12},
  abstract = {Five hundred-meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) is a multi-disciplinary basic research platform that is used for a wide range of astronomy research. Currently, narrow-band multi-beam feed are primarily employed for observation. The development of ultra-wide broadband feed system is beneficial for covering more scientific objectives, while also giving full play to the advantages of the FAST huge reception area in wider frequency band. This paper focuses on the 0.5-3.3GHz feed design, which has better than 10 dB simulated return loss across the bandwidth with the method of using fitting curves and dielectric loading and adding corrugated structures to improve the performance of quad ridge flared horn (QRFH). A centrally positioned PTFE dielectric rod regulates electromagnetic wave phase velocity, enhancing radiation directivity and main lobe symmetry. The dielectric rod is formed by two concentric layers with the same dielectric constant but different structures. The outer layer is evenly slotted to reduce its dielectric constant. The addition of the above technical means ensures the symmetry of the E-plane and H-plane far-field patterns, making the aperture efficiency of the feed relatively balanced over 6.6:1 bandwidth. This kind of feed is designed with an emphasis on performance, ease of tuning and manufacturability compared to the case of multi-layer dielectric rods.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST

AU  - Jinglong Yu
AU  - Hongfei Liu
AU  - Jianbin Li
Y1  - 2025/06/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12
T2  - Science Discovery
JF  - Science Discovery
JO  - Science Discovery
SP  - 46
EP  - 50
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0650
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12
AB  - Five hundred-meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) is a multi-disciplinary basic research platform that is used for a wide range of astronomy research. Currently, narrow-band multi-beam feed are primarily employed for observation. The development of ultra-wide broadband feed system is beneficial for covering more scientific objectives, while also giving full play to the advantages of the FAST huge reception area in wider frequency band. This paper focuses on the 0.5-3.3GHz feed design, which has better than 10 dB simulated return loss across the bandwidth with the method of using fitting curves and dielectric loading and adding corrugated structures to improve the performance of quad ridge flared horn (QRFH). A centrally positioned PTFE dielectric rod regulates electromagnetic wave phase velocity, enhancing radiation directivity and main lobe symmetry. The dielectric rod is formed by two concentric layers with the same dielectric constant but different structures. The outer layer is evenly slotted to reduce its dielectric constant. The addition of the above technical means ensures the symmetry of the E-plane and H-plane far-field patterns, making the aperture efficiency of the feed relatively balanced over 6.6:1 bandwidth. This kind of feed is designed with an emphasis on performance, ease of tuning and manufacturability compared to the case of multi-layer dielectric rods.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Jinglong Yu

National Astronomical Observatories, China Academicals of Science, Beijing, China; School of Astronomy and Space Science, University of China Academicals of Science, Beijing, China; Guizhou Radio Astronomical Observatory, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-3957-1373
Hongfei Liu

National Astronomical Observatories, China Academicals of Science, Beijing, China

Contact Email
Jianbin Li

National Astronomical Observatories, China Academicals of Science, Beijing, China; School of Astronomy and Space Science, University of China Academicals of Science, Beijing, China

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Yu, J., Liu, H., Li, J. (2025). Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST. Science Discovery, 13(3), 46-50. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12

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ACS Style

Yu, J.; Liu, H.; Li, J. Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST. Sci. Discov. 2025, 13(3), 46-50. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12

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AMA Style

Yu J, Liu H, Li J. Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST. Sci Discov. 2025;13(3):46-50. doi: 10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12,
  author = {Jinglong Yu and Hongfei Liu and Jianbin Li},
  title = {Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST
},
  journal = {Science Discovery},
  volume = {13},
  number = {3},
  pages = {46-50},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sd.20251303.12},
  abstract = {Five hundred-meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) is a multi-disciplinary basic research platform that is used for a wide range of astronomy research. Currently, narrow-band multi-beam feed are primarily employed for observation. The development of ultra-wide broadband feed system is beneficial for covering more scientific objectives, while also giving full play to the advantages of the FAST huge reception area in wider frequency band. This paper focuses on the 0.5-3.3GHz feed design, which has better than 10 dB simulated return loss across the bandwidth with the method of using fitting curves and dielectric loading and adding corrugated structures to improve the performance of quad ridge flared horn (QRFH). A centrally positioned PTFE dielectric rod regulates electromagnetic wave phase velocity, enhancing radiation directivity and main lobe symmetry. The dielectric rod is formed by two concentric layers with the same dielectric constant but different structures. The outer layer is evenly slotted to reduce its dielectric constant. The addition of the above technical means ensures the symmetry of the E-plane and H-plane far-field patterns, making the aperture efficiency of the feed relatively balanced over 6.6:1 bandwidth. This kind of feed is designed with an emphasis on performance, ease of tuning and manufacturability compared to the case of multi-layer dielectric rods.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Design and Simulation of Dielectric Load Ultra-Wide Band Corrugated Feed for FAST

AU  - Jinglong Yu
AU  - Hongfei Liu
AU  - Jianbin Li
Y1  - 2025/06/11
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12
T2  - Science Discovery
JF  - Science Discovery
JO  - Science Discovery
SP  - 46
EP  - 50
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0650
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sd.20251303.12
AB  - Five hundred-meter aperture spherical radio telescope (FAST) is a multi-disciplinary basic research platform that is used for a wide range of astronomy research. Currently, narrow-band multi-beam feed are primarily employed for observation. The development of ultra-wide broadband feed system is beneficial for covering more scientific objectives, while also giving full play to the advantages of the FAST huge reception area in wider frequency band. This paper focuses on the 0.5-3.3GHz feed design, which has better than 10 dB simulated return loss across the bandwidth with the method of using fitting curves and dielectric loading and adding corrugated structures to improve the performance of quad ridge flared horn (QRFH). A centrally positioned PTFE dielectric rod regulates electromagnetic wave phase velocity, enhancing radiation directivity and main lobe symmetry. The dielectric rod is formed by two concentric layers with the same dielectric constant but different structures. The outer layer is evenly slotted to reduce its dielectric constant. The addition of the above technical means ensures the symmetry of the E-plane and H-plane far-field patterns, making the aperture efficiency of the feed relatively balanced over 6.6:1 bandwidth. This kind of feed is designed with an emphasis on performance, ease of tuning and manufacturability compared to the case of multi-layer dielectric rods.

VL  - 13
IS  - 3
ER  -

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