Millimeter wave Hybrid Mode Horn Geometries and Challenges in Realization

Abstract

newlineFuture wireless communication applications will use high-frequency in millimeter/sub-millimeter range for transmission and reception. The high-frequency offers several advantages like larger bandwidth with a high transmission rate and suppressed interference. However, the dimensions of the RF components become too complex to fabricate especially in the millimeter and sub-millimeter wave frequency range. Looking into this, there is a scope of research and development of high-frequency components for future wireless systems. newlineA horn antenna is one of the crucial elements for long-distance wireless communication systems. Many different types of horn antennas are in use for a variety of practical applications. Amongst different horn antenna configurations, hybrid mode horns are preferred due to their advantages like symmetric beam patterns, low cross-polarization over a wide frequency band, reasonable gain, etc. Over the last few decades, researchers have explored a variety of hybrid mode horn antennas including the most common corrugated horn, dielectric horn, metamaterial horn, smooth-walled profile horn, etc. The corrugated horn is the most widely used hybrid mode horn. However, due to its complex inner structure, it is relatively challenging and costly to manufacture, especially in the millimeter and sub-millimeter wave frequency range. Apart from a conventional corrugated horn, there are several other hybrid-mode horn options available, including a hybrid corrugated horn (having both axial and radial corrugations) and smooth-walled spline profile horn antennas. All these horn antennas have their advantages and limitations. newline__ newlineThe present research work focuses on the design and development of differ