Analysis, design and characteristics of X-band dielectric wedge waveguide antennas

Some design considerations for the analysis and performance of dielectric wedge waveguide antennas employing polymers are discussed. The theory is supported with experimental results obtained at X-band 8.5-11.5 GHz frequencies. A model of a dielectric slab excited by an incident RF signal in the TE(10) waveguide mode is analyzed and applied to a design procedure for a polypropylene waveguide antenna for X-band application with the center frequency located at 10.0 GHz and launched from a standard X-band WR 90 waveguide having internal dimensions of 22.86 mm and 10.16 mm. Wedge waveguide antenna design parameters for various polymers are shown along with gain radiation characteristics for the wedge antenna as a function of wedge length. It was observed that a taper in either the a or b waveguide plane deteriorated the gain radiation characteristics in the entire range of X-band frequencies.