Optimized SIW antipodal Vivaldi antenna array using Fourier series equations for C-band applications

Abstract

Abstract This paper demonstrates a novel form of substrate integrated waveguide SIW antenna array based on Fourier Series Equations. An optimized SIW power divider feeds the proposed structure where a micro-strip transition is used for impedance matching at 50 Ohm. The proposed antenna is traveling wave antenna type, in conventional methods the curve of antenna is of a linear or exponential form. In our method, we used the FSE to modify the contour of the antenna. The method is based on optimization of the Fourier series coefficients in order to maximize the gain for φ = π/2 and θ = π/2. The results of the return loss, the field’s distribution, the radiation pattern and the realized gain were analysed. Furthermore, the antenna is designed in HFSS and CST with a comparison between them. The simulated return loss was compared with experimental measurements. The return loss of the proposed 1 × 4 antenna array is less than −10  dB at 5.5–6.8 GHz with an average gain about of 6 dBi and a peak gain about of 7.2 dBi. The proposed 1 × 4 antenna array is optimized with HFSS and designed using FR4 substrate, and considered in C-band for centimeters waves applications.