Synthesis of small axis-symmetrical shaped integrated lens antennas: Comparison between full-wave and high-frequency optimization strategies

A CAD tool based on real-coded GA and BoR-FDTD has been implemented for the synthesis of axis-symmetrical radiating structures of moderate size. It has been validated numerically via the optimization of small-size single-shell integrated lens antennas (ILAs) fed by dielectric-loaded circular waveguide. It has been shown that shaping the lens surface using BoR-FDTD enables one to enhance the peak directivity compared to the GO predictions. Comparison with the performance of two lens prototypes synthesized with our BoR-FDTD/GA and GO / PO-GA tools has highlighted the limitations of the GO / PO approach.