Performance of Hemielliptic Dielectric Lens Antennas With Optimal Edge Illumination

• Published in: IEEE transactions on antennas and propagation Vol. 57; no. 7; pp. 2193 - 2198
• Main Authors: Boriskin, A.V., Sauleau, R., Nosich, A.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.07.2009; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithm design and analysis; Antennas; Applied sciences; Beam collimation; Boundaries; dielectric lens antenna; Dielectrics; Directive antennas; directivity; edge illumination; edge taper; Exact sciences and technology; Feeds; Illumination; Integral equations; Lens antennas; Lenses; Lighting; Materials selection; Mathematical analysis; Optical materials; Optimization; Performance analysis; Radiocommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Two dimensional displays; Performance evaluation; edge illumination; Beam collimation; Mode coupling; edge taper; Collimation; Two dimensional model; Lens antenna; Dielectric antenna; Directivity; dielectric lens antenna; Algorithm performance; Boundary integral equations; directivity
• ISSN: 0018-926X; 1558-2221
• DOI: 10.1109/TAP.2009.2021979

The role of edge illumination in the performance of compact-size dielectric lens antennas (DLAs) is studied in accurate manner using a highly efficient algorithm based on the combination of the Muller's boundary integral equations and the method of analytical regularization. The analysis accounts for the finite size of the lens and directive nature of the primary feed placed close to the center of the lens base. The problem is solved in a two-dimensional (2-D) formulation for both E - and H -polarizations. It is found that away from internal resonances that spoil the radiation characteristics of DLAs made of dense materials, the edge illumination has primary importance. The proper choice of this parameter helps maximize DLA directivity, and its optimal value depends on the lens material and feed polarization.