Analysis of aperture-coupled microstrip antenna using thesegmentation method

The authors present an original analysis of an aperture-coupled microstrip antenna. The theory is based on the segmentation method, which considers the patch as a multiport network whose impedance matrix is deduced from a hybrid matrix, and the use of analytical expressions of the cavity admittance at the slot centre. The theory is presented for the first time, and the theoretical results are in good agreement with previous published measurements     

Numerical calibration in FDTD to compute complex reflectioncoefficient of periodic structures

The use of a reference load (here, a short circuit) in a finite difference time-domain method combined with Floquet boundary conditions in order to compute the complex reflection coefficient of infinite periodic structures is described. The short circuit imposes the position of a reference plane, essential for the calculation of the phase. This approach is called `numerical calibration', by analogy with the experimental calibration of network analysers     

Broadband compact printed quadrifilar helical antenna for ballooncampaign applications

A new printed quadrifilar helical antenna design is investigated. The concept of this antenna combines a size reduction technique with a method to increase bandwidth. This new antenna is realised and measured     

Beam focusing using 60 GHz Fabry-Perot resonators with uniform and non-uniform metal grids

A new structure of millimetre-wave focusing antennas is presented. It consists of a plane-parallel Fabry-Perot resonator comprising two uniform and non-uniform inductive metal meshes excited by a horn antenna. The beam focusing is performed with the non-uniform mirror, the geometry of which is chosen so that it behaves as a spherical equiphase surface with a desired radius of curvature. The resulting radiation patterns are Gaussian; their directivity is controlled by the curvature of the synthesised wavefront. This concept is successfully validated in the 60 GHz band.     

Performance of reduced size substrate lens antennas for Millimeter-wave communications

This paper presents the theoretical performance (input impedance, -10 dB return-loss bandwidth, radiation patterns and surface efficiencies) of reduced size substrate lenses fed by aperture-coupled microstrip patch antennas. The diameter of the extended hemispherical homogeneous dielectric (/spl epsiv//sub r,lens/) lenses varies between one and five wavelengths in free-space, in order to obtain radiating structures whose directivity is comprised between 10 and 25 dB. A lot of configurations of lenses are investigated using the finite-difference time-domain methods technique and compared in the 47-50 GHz band as a function of their diameter, extension length and dielectric constant. In particular, the analysis of internal reflections-in time and frequency domains-shows that the latter have potentially a strong influence on the input impedance of small lens antennas, even for low values of /spl epsiv//sub r,lens/(2.2), whereas the usual limit (beyond which anti-reflection coatings are required) is /spl epsiv//sub r,lens/=4. We also demonstrate that the diffraction limit of reduced size lenses is reached for extension lengths varying between 50% and 175% of the extension of synthesized ellipses, depending on the lens material and diameter. Finally, we show that superdirective structures with surface efficiencies reaching 250% can be obtained with small lens diameters, justifying the interest in reduced size lens antennas.     

Theoretical Reflection Coefficient of Metal Grid Reflectors at a Dielectric Interface

Reflection properties of square apertures metal mesh mirrors are studied theoretically with the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method associated to Floquet Boundary Conditions. The reflector is illuminated by a normally incident plane wave and is located at an interface between two semi infinite low loss dielectric materials. Reflectivity and phase of the reflection coefficient are given in the non diffraction region for a wide range of square apertures, and for the four situations corresponding to an interface between free space and fused quartz.     

57 GHz Gaussian beam antenna for wireless broadband communications

The radiation characteristics of a millimetre wave Gaussian beam antenna (GBA) have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. The antenna consists of a fused-quartz half-wavelength piano-convex Fabry-Perot resonator fed by pyramidal horn. Very low sidelobe levels (<-35 dB) and a fairly good efficiency (>50%) are obtained at 57.2 GHz. Such an antenna configuration is therefore suitable for wireless broadband communications     

Radiation characteristics and performance of millimeter-wave horn-fed Gaussian beam antennas

Radiation characteristics and performance of Gaussian beam antennas (GBAs) are studied theoretically and experimentally in the 60 GHz band. A GBA consists of a plano-convex half-wavelength Fabry-Perot (FP) resonator excited by a guided source with a metal flange. Two reflecting metal mesh mirrors are formed on both faces of the cavity. After a review of the principles and quasi-optical performance of plano-convex FP resonators illuminated by a plane wave, a new formulation is proposed to compute the radiation patterns of GBAs: the usual expression of the waist radius inside open resonators is modified to account for the horn aperture and for the grid parameters of the plane mirror. Standard closed-form relations of vector Gaussian beams are then used to compute the radiated copolar components. In particular, it is shown that the plane mirror is not an equiphase surface, due to the metal flange of the horn. The true phase distribution is approximated by a spherical wavefront. As a result, the directivity of the antenna becomes lower than its quasi-optical value. Experimental data obtained at 60 GHz with several pyramidal horns and various cavities agree very well with the theory. Sidelobes are lower than -25 dB, and the cross-polarization level is the same as that of the primary radiator. Universal curves showing the variations of resonant frequency, -3 dB bandwidth, gain, and radiation efficiency as a function of mirror reflectivity are very useful for the design of GBAs.     

CAD-oriented cavity model for rectangular patches

A cavity model well suited for computed-aided design is presented. The patch antenna is described by geometrical and electrical parameters. Using a cavity model, input impedance as a function of frequency is then calculated with a fast computer program implemented on a PC. Resonant resistance and resonant frequency are deduced.<>