IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation (Jan 2023)

3-D Printed All-Dielectric GRIN Lens Antenna With an Integrated Feeder

  • Anastasios Paraskevopoulos,
  • Francesca Maggiorelli,
  • Ilir Gashi,
  • Cristian Della Giovampaola,
  • Matteo Albani,
  • Stefano Maci

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1109/OJAP.2023.3273488
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4
pp. 528 – 536

Abstract

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In this paper we present the design, fabrication, and experimental verification of a new type of Graded-index (GRIN) lens antenna with an integrated feeder. The continuously varying refractive index distribution is chosen appropriately to offer the rays collimation at the lens aperture. It is practically implemented by varying the material density in a host medium, thus realizing a new type of all-dielectric high gain antenna, entirely using 3D printing. This solution can find application to high gain wireless communication and measurement systems. This GRIN lens antenna is printed in one monolithic process and does not require the feeder to be placed at a focal distance, thus complying with more strict space requirements. It accepts interchangeable feeds that can cover a wide frequency range. The directivity and gain are evaluated using near-field measurements in the Ku-band. A 40% measured aperture efficiency is achieved at 14GHz. The challenges and performance limitations that come with 3D printing, as compared to the design of idealized continuous distribution GRIN lenses are discussed.

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