volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

This paper presents a new 3D-printed, compact Double-Ridged Conical Horn (DRCH) antenna designed for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Microwave Imaging (MI). The performance of the proposed antenna is analyzed using an electromagnetic (EM) solver, which demonstrates favorable return loss, gain, and radiation characteristics, indicating its structural and performance robustness. To validate the final design, a prototype is fabricated and tested experimentally. The proposed model features reduced dimensions compared to traditional and commercially available Dual Ridge Horn (DRH) antennas, while still maintaining a broad operational bandwidth (|S₁₁| > -10 over the 0.69 GHz-12 GHz range). Within the variety of potential applications, this frequency band is particularly suitable for biomedical devices, particularly in MI, where compact size is crucial for seamless integration into these systems. Additionally, a safety evaluation of the designed antenna has shown that its Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is well below regulatory limits, ensuring that it can be safely operated near human users.

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Dr. Athul O. Asok

Dr. Sukomal Dey