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Wide-band gain enhancement of a pyramidal horn antenna with a 3D-printed epsilon-positive and epsilon-near-zero metamaterial lens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2020

Nesem Keskin ,
Sinan Aksimsek Open the ORCID record for Sinan Aksimsek [Opens in a new window]  and
Nurhan Turker Tokan
Nesem Keskin
Affiliation:
Profen Communication Tech. R&D Center, Okmeydani Sisli 34384, Istanbul, Turkey
Sinan Aksimsek*
Affiliation:
Department of Electrics and Electronics Engineering, Istanbul Kultur University, Bakirkoy 34156, Istanbul, Turkey
Nurhan Turker Tokan
Affiliation:
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler 34220, Istanbul, Turkey
*
Author for correspondence: Sinan Aksimsek, E-mail: s.aksimsek@iku.edu.tr
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Abstract

In this article, we present a simple, low-cost solution for the gain enhancement of a conventional pyramidal horn antenna using additive manufacturing. A flat, metamaterial lens consisting of three-layer metallic grid wire is implemented at the aperture of the horn. The lens is separated into two regions; namely epsilon-positive and epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) regions. The structure of the ENZ region is constructed accounting the variation of relative permittivity in the metamaterial. By the phase compensation property imparted by the metamaterial lens, more focused beams are obtained. The simulated and measured results clearly demonstrate that the metamaterial lens enhances the gain over an ultra-wide frequency band (10–18 GHz) compared to the conventional horn with the same physical size. A simple fabrication process using a 3D printer is introduced, and has been successfully applied. This result represents a remarkable achievement in this field, and may enable a comprehensive solution for satellite and radar systems as a high gain, compact, light-weighted, broadband radiator.

Keywords

Antenna designepsilon-near-zerometa-materials and photonic bandgap structuresmodeling and measurements
Type
Metamaterials and Photonic Bandgap Structures
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 13 , Issue 10 , December 2021 , pp. 1015 - 1023
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press in association with the European Microwave Association

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