C-Band Septum Polarizers With Polynomial Profile and Accurate Axial Ratio Characterization in Back-to-Back Configuration

Septum polarizers have been used in waveguide systems for over 50 years and are very popular in communication satellites operating in circular polarization. With the progress of computational electromagnetics and computer hardware, combined with advances in manufacturing techniques, there has been a growing interest in septum polarizers with smooth profiles. In particular, a design using Legendre polynomials was recently introduced by the authors. This paper reports on the first experimental validation of this component and introduces also alternative profiles based on cubic splines. The new designs account for considerations on the overhang angle, which is an important parameter in additive layer manufacturing. The axial ratio of these designs is evaluated using a simple and accurate technique based on a back-to-back configuration, which can be implemented outside an anechoic chamber. The proposed characterization technique relies on the custom flanges implemented on the circular common port of septum polarizers to interface with horn antennas. These flanges typically have an 8-fold rotational symmetry, which enables to perform multiple measurements of a back-to-back configuration without requiring further equipment. The measured data is then processed to obtain the axial ratio of the two septum polarizers. This characterization technique is particularly advantageous when a large number of feeds needs to be tested, which is relevant in current and future broadband communication satellites. The technique is validated by comparing with measured data acquired in an anechoic chamber using a standard technique. Various prototypes, designed for operation in C-band communication satellite downlink, are characterized and promising results are obtained, showing very good agreement between simulated and measured data.