For global horn applications in C- and X-band as well as for active antenna feed clusters, size and weight are critical values for accommodating antennas on satellite. The innovation described in [1] enables a significant reduction in length and mass while maintaining the electrical performance. Due to the availability of modern satellites, the number of antennas installed on the satellite is increasing. As a result, there is a shift in satellite communications that requires more compact and efficiently integrated microwave components. Because of limited space on spacecraft, for C-band and X-band applications accommodation and mass is an issue. Replacing commonly used global horns with the dual polarization four-way power divider antenna concept, will save length by more than factor two and mass by approximately factor 4. Furthermore, this more compact and simpler solution is adaptable to larger arrays and the current Ku- and Ka-band active antenna developments with cluster spacing in the range of 3-4 wavelengths and passive arrays will benefit from this technology. Novel manufacturing techniques, such as metal powder application or additive layer manufacturing will be investigated to reduce the dimensions of the power divider to a minimum, combined with optimal mechanical and thermal boundaries. In agreement with the strategy department telecom and navigation satellites in Toulouse, the most urgent and beneficial application as well as frequency band will be identified to make the dual polarization four way power divider available for the first commercial application.
