A Miniaturized Vivaldi Antenna Array Design

Wide bandwidth and wide scan angle antenna size is large, but the phased array has a limitation on the size of the antenna unit. In order to solve the problem, the article uses a Vivaldi antenna with a toe structure as the antenna unit. By using a director, the wideband effect is achieved, meanwhile the voltage standing wave ratio in the 8.6GHz-12.4GHz band is less than 1.5, and the 3dB beamwidth in the range of 9GHz to 11GHz is extended to ± 70 °. While in this case, the antenna size is only 36mm $\times$ 15mm $\times$ 0.762mm. A 16 $\times$ 1 array of such unit achieves a wide scanning pattern greater than ± 40 °, the mutual coupling of the array elements less than -10dB. This miniaturized array antenna shows good working characteristics in the range of 9GHz to 11GHz.