DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF QUASI-INTEGRATED HORN ANTENNAS FOR MILLIMETER AND SUBMILLIMETER-WAVE APPLICATIONS

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic process for the d esign of multimode quasi-integrated horn antennas, and to provide a fu ll range of practical antenna designs for mullimeter and submillimeter -wave applications. The design methodology is based on the Gaussian be am approach and the structures are optimized for achieving maximum fun damental Gaussian coupling efficiency. For this purpose, a hybrid tech nique is employed in which the integrated part of the antennas is trea ted using full-wave analysis, whereas the machined part is treated usi ng an approximate model. This results in a simple and efficient design process. The developed design procedure has been applied for the desi gn of a 20-, 23-, and 25-dB quasi-integrated horn antennas, all with a Gaussian coupling efficiency exceeding 97%. The designed antennas hav e been tested and characterized using both full-wave analysis and 91/3 70GHz measurements. The quasi-integrated horn antennas are also examin ed as feed elements for Cassegrain antenna systems and are proven to b e comparable to the traditional machined corrugated horn feeds.