Dielectric Rod Antenna Array with SIW Feed Network for Radar Imaging System

An array is designed to be used in UWB imaging systems. The antenna is an eight-element dielectric rod array covering 8{12GHz frequency range and has the ability to send short electromagnetic pulses in a directional manner with low distortion and low loss. The array antenna performance is further improved by the inclusion of a low-loss SIW feed network and wide-band input matching through optimized GCPW transition. The array is optimized to have a compact size and almost constant radiation pattern with frequency. Measured results are successfully conflrmed with simulation; it has a broadband performance at 8{12GHz, with 14:5§2dB gain, i14dB SLL, and better than 27dB front-to-back ratio. Meanwhile, the antenna provides a symmetric radiation pattern with relatively low cross polarization of better than i19dB and occupies 10cm £ 9cm. The antenna is geared towards imaging with high resolution. Re∞ections of a target are measured for the developed array and compared to the previously-fabricated antenna. Strong re∞ected pulse and high resolution image are recorded by new antenna, demonstrating the potential of this feature for microwave imaging systems.

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