Integrated Multilayer Horn Antenna for Millimeter-Wave Application

In this work, a wide band slot antenna with a two-section T-shaped ridge is designed at 30 GHz based on printed ridge gap waveguide technology. Later, to enhance the antenna gain, a multi-layer stepped horn is designed with PCB substrates. The horn results in an overall increase in gain up to 11.5 dBi, and the bandwidth exceeds 26.5% from 26.5-34.6 GHz. The steps walls are realized by metal vias. To control the leakages between the conducting surfaces of the layers, two rows of mushrooms are used around the metal vias to form PEC/PMC parallel-plate waveguides that don't allow for leakage between them. In addition, three rows of mushrooms act as a soft surface around the horn opening to improve the radiation characteristics.