Design of Plano-Convex Lens Antenna Fed by Microstrip Patch Considering Integration with Microwave Planar Circuits

In this paper, the plano-convex lens antenna fed by a single patch is studied for a microwave remote-traffic monitoring sensor with constraints of small size and low cost. Measurement of an AUT (Antenna Under Test) involves the considerations of a triangular groove for matched layer and metallic shielding effects. A formulation for extracting the parameters of a piano-convex lens antenna, based on geometrical optics, is introduced using Fermat`s principle of the equi-phased ray condition. Teflon (/ =2.0) is chosen as a material of a plano-convex lens antenna for adjustment of aberrations on the lens surfaces automatically. A fabricated plano-convex lens shows 3-dB beamwidth of 7.5 degree and side-lobe level of -29 dB with an aperture distribution of the parabolic-squared taper on pedestal. This lens supports easier integration with the planar microwave circuits by using a microstrip single patch as a primary feeder of the lens antenna.feeder of the lens antenna.