Gain Enhancement of a Traditional Horn Antenna using 3D Printed Square-Shaped Multi-layer Dielectric Lens for X-band Applications

Abstract

In this work, gain of a traditional horn antenna is enhanced up to 2.9 dB over X-band using 3D printed square-shaped multi-layer lens. For this purpose, firstly the multi-layer lenses are designed using Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO) and simulated in 3-D CST Microwave Studio (MWS) environment as consisting of square-shaped five layers with variable dielectric constants and heights. Thus, optimum values of the dielectric constants and heights are resulted limiting from 1.15 to 2.1 and 9.2 mm to 10 mm, respectively compatible for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) based 3D-printing process. Finally, the optimum lens is realized by 3D printer via FDM evaluating infill rate of cheap Polylactic Acid (PLA) material for each layer. The simulated and measured performance of the multi-layer dielectric structures are hand to hand. The horn antenna equipped by our proposed dielectric lens achieves gain enhancement of the traditional antenna up to 2.9 dB over the operation band. Furthermore, the proposed design is compared with the counterpart designs in literature and based on the comparison results it can be said that the proposed design achieves the better performance in the smaller in size as equipped a traditional X-band horn antenna.

A novel near field radiation shaping technique by using data driven surrogate based optimization for nondestructive hyperthermia

“…In Table 2, the performance result of the MLP surrogate model is compared with the results of ARM and 3D EM simulation tool FEKO. In the last decades, many optimization algorithms had been presented for multi objective, multi‐dimension problems and meta‐heuristic algorithms 63–67 . Here, it should be mentioned that, even though there are many novel meta‐heuristic or gradient based optimization algorithms in literature with possibly better convergence characteristics than the traditional optimization algorithm used in this work, this aspect of convergence performance of optimization process or the optimal selection of optimization algorithm is not one of the main concerns of this work.…”

“…In the last decades, many optimization algorithms had been presented for multi objective, multi-dimension problems and metaheuristic algorithms. [63][64][65][66][67] Here, it should be mentioned that, even though there are many novel meta-heuristic or gradient based optimization algorithms in literature with possibly better convergence characteristics than the traditional optimization algorithm used in this work, this aspect of convergence performance of optimization process or the optimal selection of optimization algorithm is not one of the main concerns of this work. Here, with the usage of the proposed data driven surrogate modeling technique, the simulation time required for prediction of near field characteristics of antenna array would be much less than a second, where, a single EM simulation might requires more than minutes with respect to the mesh size and the used hardware setup.…”

Surrogate‐assisted optimization of 3D printed ceramic nonuniform nonplanar microstrip filter

“…3D printer are a cost-efficient solution for manufacturing of complex microwave designs such as in Garcia-Martinez and colleagues. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Here to have a design with a shorter length, the substrates is modeled as nonplanar substrate. This feature can be obtained easily by using the unique feature of 3D printing technology.…”

“…With recent development in 3D printing technology the fields that utilize this method for low‐cost manufacturing is also increased. 3D printer are a cost‐efficient solution for manufacturing of complex microwave designs such as in Garcia‐Martinez and colleagues 27–36 . Here to have a design with a shorter length, the substrates is modeled as nonplanar substrate.…”

An E‐band 3D‐printed dielectric lens antenna with flat‐top beam designed by hybrid optimization algorithm

“…In addition, three-dimensional (3D)-printed technology has also been applied to the design of antennas due to the advantages of low cost and lightweight. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] On the other hand, algorithms have also been applied to the design of antenna. [21][22][23] In Misra and Deb, 24 the particle swarm optimization (PSO) is utilized to obtain ±20°flat-top beam.…”