Gain Increase of Horn Antenna with Waveguide Feeding Network by using 3D Printing Technology

Abstract

2×1 array antenna with WFN (waveguide feeding network) by using 3D printing Technology and metal plating technique at X-Ku frequency band is proposed in the areas of radars, defense industry and satellite communication to increase antenna gain. The fabrication of 2×1 array antenna comprises of two processes which are to produce the structure of array antenna by using ABS for 3D printer and to carry out copper plating. Waveguide feeding network for array consists of an H-plane Tjunction, two bend elements and three flanges. The spacing between the output terminals in the waveguide feeding network is 3λ for better performance. There is a good agreement between measurement and simulation results by max 0.5dB difference because of surface roughness and high precision. The gain is increased by approximately1.5dB in comparison with a single antenna. However, VSWR of the single antenna is 0.3dB lower than the array antenna. As a result, we have proposed the array antenna 90% lighter weight and 80% cheaper than metal equivalents

Keywords

• Horn antenna
• T-junction
• Waveguide
• technology
• 3D printer
• Gain

Gain Increase of Horn Antenna with Waveguide Feeding Network by using 3D Printing Technology

Abstract

2x1 array antenna with WFN (waveguide feeding network) by using 3D printing Technology and metal plating technique at X-Ku frequency band is proposed in the areas of radars, defense industry and satellite communication to increase antenna gain. The fabrication of 2x1 array antenna            comprises of two processes which are to produce the structure of array antenna by using ABS for 3D printer and to carry out copper plating. Waveguide feeding network for array consists of a H-plane T-junction, two bend elements and three flanges. The spacing between the output terminals in waveguide feeding network is 3λ for better performance. There is a good agreement between measurement and simulation results by max 0.5dB difference because of surface roughness and high precision. The gain is increased by approximately1.5dB in comparison with single antenna. However, VSWR of the single antenna is 0.3dB lower than the array antenna. As a result, we have proposed the array antenna 90% lighter weight and 80% cheaper than metal equivalents.

Keywords

• Horn antenna
• T-junction waveguide
• 3D printing technology
• 3D Printer
• Gain

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