Abstract
Florida
International University (FIU) is seeking a business partner to develop and
commercialize hexagonal waveguide based circularly polarized (CP) horn
antennas. A CP horn antenna is used for transmitting and receiving circularly
polarized signals for wireless communication, radar, and imaging
applications. Such horns are typically easy to design and fabricate for
microwave frequency bands. But for millimeter wave (mm-wave) and terahertz
frequency applications, micro-fabrication techniques are needed for such
fabrications, which can make them expensive. The technologies currently used
for CP horns are by either using septum (or waveguides partitions,
discontinuities and irises) and 2) by using an orthogonal mode transducer
(OMT). Even with existing micro-nano fabrication methods, it is a challenging
task for sub-mm-wave and terahertz frequency designs. This is due to the
shrinking dimensions of the waveguides and small features of the partition
itself. The design gets expensive and sensitive to fabrication tolerances
rendering it not very viable for high frequency applications. The OMT
requires rigorous assemblies of waveguide sections, requiring 3D metal
fabrication techniques with high precision and low surface roughness.
Fabrication of such 3-dimensional waveguide networks is challenging and
expensive for high frequency applications owing to small dimensions. To
overcome these limitations, FIU inventors have designed a new class of CP
horns that are easy to fabricate for high frequencies, are not susceptible to
dielectric breakdown, and are better-matched due to their hollow waveguide
design. This was achieved by introducing a uniquely new waveguide form that
has a hexagonal cross section, which exhibits varying dispersion properties
for orthogonal modes, a property essential for converting linear polarized
mode to CP. CP horns were designed in WR-8 band, showing their potential for
sub-mm-wave and terahertz frequencies. The hexagonal sections were optimized
to further optimize AR-bandwidths and dimensions with up to 40% theoretical
3-db axial-ratio bandwidth. The design eliminated the need for waveguide
partitions and other waveguide assemblies that are often required for CP
horns.
Benefit
The antennas can be fabricated for terrahertz applications. Easy fabrication for mm-wave. No requirement of waveguide partitions or elaborate waveguide assemblies. Good gain at operating frequency. Non susceptible to dielectric breakdown, and better matched due to their hollow waveguide designs.
Market Application
Mm-wave wireless communication and imaging applications
Brochure
