Metal 3D-Printing of Waveguide Components and Antennas: Guidelines and New Perspectives

Garcia-Vigueras, María; Polo‐López, Lucas; Stoumpos, Charalampos; Dorlé, Aurélie; Molero, Carlos; Gillard, Raphaël

doi:10.5772/intechopen.106690

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…The most important parameter for the antenna's fabrication is its orientation during the printing process. After trials and past experience [10]- [11], [24]- [25] with the SLM process, we concluded to the optimal orientation; that which produces the least manufacturing risk related to overhanging metallic regions. So, w.r.t.…”

Section: Fabrication and Experimental Resultsmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/LAWP.2023.xxx Metal additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D-printing is a significant breakthrough in the field of antennas and microwave networks in waveguide technology [10]. It allows to benefit from very low losses and high power-handling, while at the same time, the design freedom to shape waveguides like in the case of CSWAAs is much higher and the cost typically lower with respect to the conventional manufacturing techniques [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Compact Additively Manufactured Conformal Slotted Waveguide Antenna Array

Stoumpos

Gouguec

Allanic

et al. 2023

Antennas Wirel. Propag. Lett.

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In this work we present the design and fabrication in metallic 3D-printing of a compact conformal slotted waveguide antenna array operating in the Ku-band. The application objective, although not limited only to this, is the optimisation of an antenna element which by stacking will be able to form a quasicylindrical sector. A beamforming network will be used for beamsteering in the elevation plane as coverage in the azimuthal plane is guaranteed by the conformal geometry. The compact design of the antenna element is therefore of great significance. For this reason, a direct feeding scheme by a coaxial connector is adopted. The antenna has been optimized following multiple parametric analyses of its geometrical parameters for the enhancement of the bandwidth, return losses and realized gain. The antenna was fabricated with Selective Laser Melting in aluminium and the experimental results agree well with the numerically calculated ones. The proposed CSWAA exhibits a reflection coefficient below -10 dB, realized gain above 14 dBi, as well as good crosspolarization and side-lobe level over a relative bandwidth of 8%.

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Section: Fabrication and Experimental Resultsmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compact Additively Manufactured Conformal Slotted Waveguide Antenna Array

Stoumpos

Gouguec

Allanic

et al. 2023

Antennas Wirel. Propag. Lett.

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“…Our proposed approach significantly enhances the radiation efficiency compared to previous studies while maintaining minimal sidelobes within a straightforward, compact, and purely metallic structure, ideal for SATCOM applications. Furthermore, our antenna design lends itself well to fabrication using current additive manufacturing techniques, thereby reducing associated production costs, being a highly considered alternative given the current rise of 3D printing structures in the field of wireless communications [36]. It is worth noting that in [15] and [28], an additional layer known as the backed cavity is introduced to enhance coupling.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-Sidelobe Flat Panel Array Fed by a 3D-Printed Half-Mode Gap Waveguide Amplitude-Tapering Network

Castellá-Montoro,

Ferrando-Rocher,

Herranz-Herruzo

et al. 2024

IEEE Access

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This article presents the design and evaluation of an 8×8 Ka-band low-sidelobe slot array antenna using gap waveguide technology. The slot array is fed by a single-layer amplitude-tapering network implemented in half-mode groove gap waveguide, resulting in a low-profile, low-sidelobe antenna. The simplicity of the proposed feeding network, composed of a novel design of asymmetrical dividers, enables precise fabrication using cost-effective additive techniques. Experimental results demonstrate a significant reduction in sidelobe levels compared to traditional uniform arrays, with a radiation efficiency exceeding 84%. This design, featuring simple and robust asymmetrical splitters, is well-suited for applications requiring high gain and low interference. INDEX TERMS Antenna arrays, Bed of nails, Gap waveguide, Half-mode waveguide, Ka-band, Low side lobe, Taylor distribution, SATCOM.

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