Dual-Polarized Directive Ultrawideband Antenna Integrated With Horn and Vivaldi Array

A novel ultrawideband dual-polarized H-plane horn antenna incorporated with a Vivaldi array is proposed. Aiming at ultrawide low-frequency applications that require dual-polarization with a compact shape, the proposed antenna employs an all-metal shared aperture structure. Different from the conventional dual-polarized horn where dual polarization is achieved using two orthogonal modes of the same waveguide, the proposed antenna uses two different types of transmission line for feeding: rectangular waveguide for vertically polarized (VP) H-plane horn antenna, and slot line for horizontally polarized (HP) Vivaldi antenna array. The Vivaldi slot significantly increases the HP bandwidth compared to the typical dual-polarized horn antennas, and does not disturb the VP radiation pattern. The proposed antenna has a measured -10 dB impedance bandwidth of 103% for HP mode, and 77.5% for VP mode. The measured peak gain for HP is 13.0 dBi and 14.3 dBi for VP. The simulated and measured results are in good alignment.

Automated summary

The novel ultrawideband dual-polarized H-plane horn antenna with a Vivaldi array combines an all-metal shared aperture structure, using a rectangular waveguide for vertically polarized H-plane horn antenna and slot line for horizontally polarized Vivaldi antenna array. The Vivaldi slot significantly increases the HP bandwidth without disturbing the VP radiation pattern. The antenna has a measured -10 dB impedance bandwidth of 103% for HP mode and 77.5% for VP mode, with a peak gain of 13.0 dBi for HP and 14.3 dBi for VP.