The basic 4-arm self-complimentary Archimedes spiral already forms part of the Antenna Magus database. By using modulated arm widths, a new class of broadband antennas capable of dual-circular polarization is produced.

The MAW self-complimentary 4-arm Archimedes spiral antenna radiates a rotationally symmetric, wideband, circularly polarized beam with boresight maximum sum (Mode 1) and reverse (Mode 3) or boresight null (Mode 2) pattern. Both pattern and impedance performance are fairly frequency independent over the operational band.

When the structure is large enough Mode 3 radiates a difference pattern. If, however, the structure is not large enough to support efficient radiation of Mode 3, simple reflection of the current at the ends of the structure produces a return excitation which efficiently radiates like Mode 1, that is a smooth lobe sum pattern, but with the opposite sense of polarization. Hence, introducing a modulation in the arms to effect a stopband region after the Mode 1 active region and ahead of the Mode 3 region is sufficient to give the required dual-polarization operation....