A Novel Class of Super-Elliptical Vivaldi Antennas for Ultra-Wideband Applications

Abstract

A novel class of complex-shaped antipodal Vivaldi antennas with enhanced impedance matching characteristics and an equivalent fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 166.8% is proposed. The reported antenna geometry is designed using the superellipse equation and implemented using an inexpensive FR4 laminate having a size of 170.7 mm  134 mm  0.2 mm. The presented low-cost, easy-to-fabricate radiating structure yields typical total efficiency, realized gain, and front-to-back ratio of 68%, 8.2 dBi, and 21.1 dB, respectively, across the operational frequency range. A parameter study of key geometrical features of the antenna is detailed in order to provide useful design guidelines while getting a better insight into the relevant physical behavior. Finally, a prototype is realized and characterized. The numerical results collected by full-wave simulation of the antenna structure are found to be in good agreement with the experimental measurements taken on the physical demonstrator.

A Review of Antenna Array Technologies for Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Communications at Millimeter-Wave Frequencies

“…Vivaldi antennas are typically printed on dielectric substrates, thus making the relevant integration with other components of easier implementation. Vivaldi antennas have been extensively studied in literature with various design improvements [31,32]. Many techniques have been developed to enhance the gain of this class of antennas, such as those based on the use of dielectric lenses [33][34][35], metamaterial lenses [36], and parasitic elliptical patches [37].…”

Computational Analysis for Miniaturization of Tapered Slot Antenna using Elliptical Conducting Loaded Strips

“…Different flare shapes and tapering techniques [8,9] nowadays are being practiced and proposed for the size reduction and performance enhancement of AVA. Printing of meta-material unit cells on either side of the substrate is helpful for improving gain and reducing antenna size and sidelobe levels [10,11].…”