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Ultra‐wideband fluidically steered antipodal Vivaldi antenna array
Author(s) -
Goode Ian,
Saavedra Carlos E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
microwave and optical technology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1098-2760
pISSN - 0895-2477
DOI - 10.1002/mop.32398
Subject(s) - vivaldi antenna , beamwidth , antipodal point , beam steering , materials science , microstrip , optics , wideband , antenna (radio) , antenna array , phase (matter) , phase shift module , beam (structure) , optoelectronics , physics , electrical engineering , antenna measurement , engineering , insertion loss , mathematics , geometry , quantum mechanics
An ultra‐wideband 1 × 4 antipodal Vivaldi antenna array with microfluidic beam steering is reported. The antipodal configuration is selected for its microstrip feed line, which is convenient for implementation of the phase‐shifting structure. Each antenna element uses a true‐time‐delay phase shifter consisting of nine microfluidic channels under its feed line in which deionized (DI) water, ɛ r = 77 + j 13 ( tan δ = 0.17 ) at 3 GHz, is pumped to change the speed of the propagating wave. The array was fabricated using a 1.52 mm thick substrate with ɛ r = 3.55 and tan δ = 0.0027 . Each antenna element and phase shifter measures 55 mm × 140 mm. Measurements show that the array yields up to 90° of beam steering from 3 to 6.5 GHz and up to 40° of steering from 6.5 to 10 GHz. The array has a maximum realized gain of 13.1 dBi, and a half‐power beamwidth of less than 40° for all configurations.