Dual Polarized Wideband Feed with Cross-Polarization Reduction and Compensation Proprieties for Compact Antenna Test Range

In this paper, a novel, wide-bandwidth, conjugate matched feeding concept is presented. The concept aims at the cancellation of the geometrical optics cross-polar component in the QZ of standard single reflector CATR. The conjugate matched feeding concept, is described in detail and the cross-polarization cancellation properties of the proposed wide-bandwidth feed system is discussed. The concept is initially verified and the solution consolidated using numerical simulation of the reflector and full wave simulation of the feed system. The achievable wide-band cross-polar discrimination is confirmed. The conjugate matched feeding concept is then validated by a reduced hardware demonstrator and measurements. The target cross-polar discrimination is confirmed.