Parametric Analysis and Bandwidth Optimisation of Hybrid Linear-exponential Tapered Slot Vivaldi Antennas

This work presents an analysis of the effects of a hybrid linear-exponential tapered slot on the key properties of both the antipodal and co-planar Vivaldi antennas at low frequencies using parametric analysis and Nonlinear Sequential Programming optimisation. It was observed that the hybrid tapered slot can extend the lower frequency limit of the antipodal Vivaldi antenna however with slight deterioration of the gain and E-plane radiation pattern. On the other hand, the optimisation of the hybrid and conventional tapered slot co-planar Vivaldi antennas converged to antennas with the same performance results

Fundamental issues in antenna design for microwave medical imaging applications

This paper surveys the development of microwave medical imaging and the fundamental challenges associated with microwave antennas design for medical imaging applications. Different microwave antennas used in medical imaging applications such as monopoles, bow-tie, vivaldi and pyramidal horn antennas are discussed. The challenges faced when the latter used in medical imaging environment are detailed. The paper provides the possible solutions for the challenges at hand and also provides insight into the modelling work which will help the microwave engineering community to understand the behaviour of the microwave antennas in coupling media

UHF Antenna Design for AFIT Random Noise Radar

The design of a small ultra-high frequency (UHF) antenna for an ultra-wideband (UWB) random noise radar (RNR) system was undertaken to improve system bandwidth and reduce overall system size. The Vivaldi dipole antenna class showed the greatest potential for high performance in this specific application. After extensive computer simulation, three designs were built using two printed circuit board antenna construction methods. The antipodal chopped Vivaldi dipole antenna, built with a milling machine, achieved a wider bandwidth and more uniform spectral performance characteristics. Though current results show improvement over the current log-periodic antenna (LPA) used on the system, greater performance could possibly be achieved with higher fidelity construction methods. The chopped Vivaldi dipole antenna can be classified as a highly efficient, electrically small antenna optimized for UWB applications, due to the combination of small size as well as a nearly uniform frequency response and low dispersion in the UHF bandwidth. Though designed for AFIT\u27s Noise Network (NoNET) system, a UHF UWB RNR, the antenna could be applied to a variety of UHF systems looking to optimize the trade-off between size and power budgets

Design and parametric evaluation of UWB antenna for array arrangement

This paper has introduced the concept of UWB antenna in array arrangements. The four elements of Balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) has been used for planar and H-plane array configuration in this research. Each single element of BAVA Antenna is printed on the glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4) along an overall thickness of 1.57mm and εr=4.3 respectively. The optimized measurement of each particular element is 60.75mm x 66mm approximatel. Further the parametric evaluation of four BAVA elements in different planes has been observed in this paper. The placement of array elements has almost coverd entire UWB frequency range and appropriate reflection coefficient which is better than -10dB has been established in both combinations. According to simulation results, the array elements in planar arrangement presenting a suitable reflection and works well at 3.2GHz frequency while the arrangement in H-plane the array elements works well at 7GHz of frequency. In planar arrangement, the operating frequency of antenna elements is shifting as results of the distance among inter elements which increase in wavelength. In H-plane arrangement an antenna elements generate additional gain up to 10.2 dB with good radiation patterns as compared to the planar plane. The CSTMWS simulation software has been used for antenna structural design and parametric verification

Comparative analysis of UWB balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna for array configuration

In this paper, an Ultra-wideband Balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna in planar and h-plane array configuration is presented. The comparison of four elements of BAVA array in both planes has been observed. Each element of an antenna printed on the glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4) with a thickness of 1.5mm and relative permittivity of 4.3. The dimension of every single element is 60.75mm x 66mm approximately. The array elements of both planes almost cover the whole UWB frequency range with the reflection coefficient of -10dB. Based on the simulation results, the array elements in planar configuration showing good reflection and works well at 3.2GHz frequency while the configuration in h-plane the array elements works well at 7GHz of frequency. In planar configuration, the operating frequency of antenna elements is shifting as a result of the distance between inter elements which intensification in wavelength. The array elements in h-plane produce more gain up to 10.2 dB with good radiation patterns as compared to the planar plane. The antenna design and optimization development are verified using CST simulation software

Wideband Antennas of Passive Seekers for Anti Radiation Missiles

Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) is a fundamental element of Air Power application by means of in protecting friendly air attackers and destroying the enemy’s ability to defend against air attack. Most of the SEAD operation even today relies on Anti-radiation missile (ARM) which is an air-to-surface tactical missile designed to detect, seek, attack and destroy opponent’s radar. Passive seeker of ARM is a miniaturized ESM receiver which is capable of extracting the necessary angular data from the enemy radar emissions. Single head passive seeker covering wide frequency range from L to Ku band is the preferred choice. Wideband antennas have been designed and utilized for Direction Finding applications of ESM/ELINT receivers for ground, air and ship borne platforms. Unlike these platforms, there are several restrictions for passive seeker based compact ESM receiver for missile borne platform specially air to surface missile where lesser diameter is one of the preferred design parameter. This review paper mainly discusses the existing wideband antennas such as spiral, log-periodic, printed circuit vivaldi and all-metal vivaldi antennas and the comparison of their various parameters for passive seeker. The paper also suggests their suitability with respect to their placement on the missile for three configurations: concealed inside the radome, flush-mounted and conformal antenna based. The paper also brought about the specific test facility required for testing and evaluation of passive seeker to characterize it with missile radome which is the most challenging and time consuming task. Among the three passive seeker configuration discussed, conformal antenna based passive seeker using all-metal Vivaldi is the best option avoiding radome aberration correction which is being utilized in the present third generations of ARM. The second commonly and established passive seeker configuration is concealed inside the radome using spiral antennas where handling radome aberration correction is a limitation.&nbsp

Study and Design of a Diferentially Fed Tapered Slot Antenna Array

The results of a parametric study and design of an ultrawideband dual-polarized array of differentially-fed tapered slot antenna elements are presented. We examine arrays of bunny-ear antennas and discuss the capabilities and limitations of differential antenna technology. As we focus on radio astronomical applications, the absence of a balancing-feed circuit not only reduces the first-stage noise contribution associated to losses in the feed, but also leads to a cost reduction. Common-modes are supported by the antenna structure when a third conductor is present, such as a ground plane. We demonstrate that anomalies may occur in the differential-mode scan impedance. Knowledge of both types of scan impedances, differential and common mode, is required to properly design differential LNAs and to achieve optimal receiver sensitivity. A compromise solution is proposed based on the partial suppression of the undesired common-mode currents through a (low loss) balancing-dissipation technique. A fully steerable design up to 45?? in both principal planes is achieved

A Bibliometric Survey on Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna

In this paper bibliometric survey is presented on Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna. The Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna is a broad band and has symmetric E plane and H plane. It has been used extensively in radars, wireless communication and dual polarization applications. The antipodal Vivaldi antenna has significant researches in biomedical imaging, optical lens, Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) System, detecting cancer, 5G communications etc. The bibliometric analysis is done for the reason to understand the reach of antipodal Vivaldi antenna and performance enhancement analysis worldwide. The Scopus and web of science are used for accomplishing this survey. The study focuses on 449 documents of conferences, articles, book chapters, review etc in scopus, where in web of science the study was focused on 95 documents of articles. Web of science has research data base of AVA from 1980 and scopus has its database from 1993. The bibliometric analyses are done using i-mapbuilder, VOS builder, Word bar chart, Word It Out, etc in section 3. The bibliometric survey includes the research of document types, year of publications, the various sources involved in performing quality research, affiliations and funding agencies involved to make the research work completed and keywords. It was observed that documents published are mostly in English language. Apart from English language documentation is also done in Chinese and Turkish. The study of this bibliometric analysis shows that the favorable field for antipodal Vivaldi antenna is done under Engineering and Computer Science fields

Imaging of buried utilities by ultra wideband sensory systems

Third-party damage to the buried infrastructure like natural gas pipelines, water distribution pipelines and fiber optic cables are estimated at $10 billion annually across the US. Also, the needed investment in upgrading our water and wastewater infrastructure over the next 20 years is estimated by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at$400 billion, however, non-destructive condition assessment technologies capable of providing quantifiable data regarding the structural integrity of our buried assets in a cost-effective manner are lacking. Both of these areas were recently identified several U.S. federal agencies as \u27critical national need\u27. In this research ultra wideband (UWB) time-domain radar technology was adopted in the development of sensory systems for the imaging of buried utilities, with focus on two key applications. The first was the development of a sensory system for damage avoidance of buried pipes and conduits during excavations. A sensory system which can be accommodated within common excavator buckets was designed, fabricated and subjected to laboratory and full-scale testing. The sensor is located at the cutting edge (teeth), detecting the presence of buried utilities ahead of the cutting teeth. That information can be used to alert the operator in real-time, thus avoiding damage to the buried utility. The second application focused on a sensory system that is capable of detecting structural defects within the wall of buried structures as well as voids in the soil-envelope encasing the structure. This ultra wideband sensory system is designed to be mounted on the robotic transporter that travels within the pipeline while collecting data around the entire circumference. The proposed approach was validated via 3-D numerical simulation as well as full-scale experimental testing