Design Optimization of Pyramidal Horn Antennas for 3D Printing in the mm-Wave Range

Lomakin, K.; Schür, Jan; Gold, G.

doi:10.23919/eucap53622.2022.9769314

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…18, respectively. A 21 dBi standard-gain horn antenna [62] was used as a reference for the measurements and placed at a distance of about 1 m from the antenna under test. A single axis turntable setup, as shown in Fig.…”

Section: Simulation and Measurement Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Printed Hemispherically Radiating Antenna for Broadband Millimeter Wave Applications

Engel,

Khouri,

Lomakin

et al. 2023

IEEE Open J. Antennas Propag.

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Nowadays, additive manufacturing provides far-reaching possibilities for use in radio frequency components. In addition to almost unlimited freedom of design as compared to conventional manufacturing, the absence of further assembly steps is a key aspect of 3D printing. In this paper, a 3D printed monolithic antenna for millimeter wave-sensing applications is presented with a full hemispherical coverage. The antenna is designed as an ensemble of a waveguide horn antenna and a differentially fed dipole antenna. The slotted waveguide approach was utilized to improve the manufacturing quality on the waveguide inside. The influence of two optimized antenna elements, a metal plane, and a cut-out window, on the beam pattern is comprehensively investigated. A huge half power beam width of 142 • in both directions, elevation and azimuth, is presented at 79 GHz and a boresight gain of 4.7 dBi was measured. The beam pattern in the frequency range from 76 to 81 GHz is studied in greater detail, where a half power beam width of at least 112 • is achieved. Due to the −10 dB matching capability bandwidth of over 28 GHz, the antenna is also suitable for extremely broadband applications with a −5 dB angular width of better than 100 • . Furthermore, the system design describes how to integrate the antenna into hybrid circuit designs and the manufacturing tolerances are examined. The antenna offers attractive possibilities for millimeter wave-sensing applications in the area of assisted living and industrial monitoring, especially whenever blind spots have to be avoided.

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Section: Simulation and Measurement Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Printed Hemispherically Radiating Antenna for Broadband Millimeter Wave Applications

Engel,

Khouri,

Lomakin

et al. 2023

IEEE Open J. Antennas Propag.

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“…Silver nanoparticles were used in the selective metallization of copper ion adsorption for 3D-printed flexible TPU elastomers. 91 packaging and 3D circuit boards were created by combining 3D printing and electroplating with a highly conductive thermoplastic filament. 102 Selective electroplating was made feasible by using two extruder heads on a traditional printer.…”

Section: Electroless Plating For Selective Metallization Of 3d Printe...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This distribution facilitated strong metal bonding and allowed for silver deposition through a simple dipping process, offering a cost‐effective and eco‐friendly alternative to conventional metallization methods. For the development and evaluation of additively manufactured pyramidal horn antennas using UV‐curable polymer resin 91 utilized 3D printing DLP system and copper electroplating. The study emphasized the utilization of the slotted waveguide to optimize the design and build orientation for 3D printing, especially for overhanging structures.…”

Section: Metallization Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to the metallization of entire 3D printed components, researchers have dedicated considerable efforts to achieve selective metallization by employing electroless plating techniques, which allows the creation of intricate metallic patterns 3D printed components, opening doors to diverse applications in areas such as electronic components, circuits, and microwave metamaterials. Silver nanoparticles were used in the selective metallization of copper ion adsorption for 3D‐printed flexible TPU elastomers 91 . The technique enabled for selective electroless plating and effectively produced copper patterns onto TPU substrate.…”

Section: Metallization Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comprehensive review on surface modifications of polymer‐based 3D‐printed structures: Metal coating prospects and challenges

Gautam,

Gogoi,

Kongnyui

et al. 2024

Polymers for Advanced Techs

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The production of complex structures out of a variety of materials has undergone a revolution due to the rapid development of additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Initially confined to applications such as magnetic actuators and two‐dimensional electric or electronic circuits, the convergence of 3D printing and metallization methods has emerged as a revolutionary approach. This synergy facilitates the creation of functional and customizable metal‐polymer hybrid structures characterized by high strength, lightweight properties, intricate geometric designs, and superior surface finish. These structures also exhibit enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as optical reflectivity. This paper reviews techniques to improve the effectiveness of 3D‐printed polymer antennas and structures by using various techniques of metallization. The metallization processes are examined, and a classification based on the materials employed is presented to facilitate comparisons that highlight the optimal utilization of materials for the fabrication of 3D‐printed polymer structures. The main emphasis here is on the effectiveness of different processes in terms of deposition, bonding strength, electrical conductivity, and various characteristics of metallic coatings developed on polymers. This review contributes an in‐depth analysis of the latest developments in 3D printing and metallization techniques specifically applied to polymer antennas and structures. The exploration extends to potential applications, challenges encountered, and future prospects within this dynamic field. As AM and metallization continue to evolve, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the state‐of‐the‐art methodologies and their implications for the future of polymer‐based structures and antennas.

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“…9. A reference horn antenna [21] with known gain is placed in a distance of 950 mm as demonstrated in Fig. 10.…”

Section: Fabricated Specimens and Characterizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Additively Manufactured Amplitude Tapered Slotted Waveguide Array Antenna With Horn Aperture for 77 GHz

2022

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In this work, a combined frontend of horn and slotted waveguide array antenna serving as feeding subsystem is presented. This setup allows to implement an amplitude taper in one plane while using the horn aperture to shape the far field radiation characteristics in the perpendicular plane independently and tailored to the individual demand of the application. Moreover, the feeding system is implemented as a loop resulting in a standing wave distribution for a wide frequency range in order to increase the antenna bandwidth. Two specimens with different horn apertures are additively manufactured in slotted waveguide technology from UV curable photopolymer resin using a digital light processing 3D printer and subsequently metal coated by electroless silver plating. A relatively large bandwidth of B −10dB = 7.2 GHz and a B −15 dB of 4.9 GHz is achieved in measurements indicating a relative bandwidth of 9 % and 6 % respectively. Antenna Gain is characterized as 17.5 and 20.17 dBi in measurements while maintaining a sidelobe level of 20-22.5 dB at 77 GHz and exhibiting a radiation efficiency of 78.9 and 79.4 %. The proposed antenna architecture provides a flexible approach for beam shaping in applications where azimuth and elevation planes exhibit different or contrary requirements, e.g. broad vs. narrow field of view -especially suitable for automotive MIMO-radar sensors.

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Design Optimization of Pyramidal Horn Antennas for 3D Printing in the mm-Wave Range

Cited by 10 publications

References 12 publications

3D Printed Hemispherically Radiating Antenna for Broadband Millimeter Wave Applications

3D Printed Hemispherically Radiating Antenna for Broadband Millimeter Wave Applications

A comprehensive review on surface modifications of polymer‐based 3D‐printed structures: Metal coating prospects and challenges

Additively Manufactured Amplitude Tapered Slotted Waveguide Array Antenna With Horn Aperture for 77 GHz

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