A 3-D-printed wideband beamforming antenna with isoflux characteristics for Earth observation.

This paper introduces a compact dielectrically loaded antenna with an isoflux beam. Fabricated from a lattice of alternating dielectric and air layers, this antenna is excited via a waveguide feed. By varying the thickness ratio of the dielectric layer to the overall unit cell, the effective permittivity of the antenna can be dynamically adjusted. Experimental results reveal that the antenna achieves an isoflux beam pattern in the E plane while projecting a pencil beam in the H plane. The maximum gain, about 12.2 dBi, manifests at a 30-degree offset from the boresight within the 22 GHz to 35 GHz frequency range. The height of the dielectric component measures roughly twice the wavelength at the central operational frequency. Design methodology has been validated through both fabrication and measurement, confirming performance of this proposed antenna, which boasts a simple structure and cost-effective production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]