An ultrawide-band impedance-loaded genetic antenna

There are many new radar and communications systems that will utilize ultrawide-band antennas. In this investigation, a compact genetic antenna consisting of a set of wires connected in series and with impedance loads is designed and measured. The shape of the antenna and the location of the loads and their impedances are optimized using a genetic algorithm. The resultant antenna is mounted over a ground plane and has elliptical polarization and near hemispherical coverage. It has a VSWR that is under about 4.5 over the 50 to 1 band from 300 to 15000 MHz. The VSWR, radiation patterns and antenna efficiency have been simulated and the VSWR has been measured.