Partially dielectric loaded planar Vivaldi array antenna for forward‐looking GPR applications

Abstract

This paper presents a novel two‐element partially dielectric loaded planar Vivaldi antenna array for ultra‐wideband applications. This array is capable of operating between 380 MHz and 3 GHz and is designed on a 1.6‐mm thick low‐cost FR4 substrate with total size of 25 × 330 × 430 mm3. Innovative approaches to various gain enhancement techniques such as partial dielectric loading, corrugations, and U‐shaped back reflector used for planar Vivaldi antennas, are collectively employed in this design. Various elements of the array are interconnected. The two‐element Vivaldi array is fed by using a power divider. The array is designed by using a full‐wave three‐dimensional EM simulation tool. The designed antenna is manufactured and then measured. The simulation and measurement results are found to be consistent with each other.