Otimização de antenas Vivaldi antipodais com estruturas RSIW.

Abstract

This work describes the development, optimization, and analysis of antipodal Vivaldi antennas using the RSIW (Ridge Substrate Integrated Waveguide) structure for potential microwave imaging applications. The structure consists of metallic-vias and cylindrical metallic posts with reduced height inserted into the dielectric. Simulations were performed using the ANSYS® Electronics Desktop software, integrated with Python programming language. The design optimization was carried out through genetic algorithms (GA) to achieve the best performing design. Performance is enhanced when slots are inserted into the radiating element. The proposed antenna was designed for a resonance frequency of 4 GHz and fabricated using FR4 (εr=4.4 and tanδ=0.02). The antenna is compared to an antipodal Vivaldi antenna (AVA – Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna) fed by SIW (Substrate Integrated Waveguide). The proposed structure achieved a bandwidth optimization of 4.09 GHz, a gain increase of 1.41 dB, and a reduction in the half-power beamwidth by 10°. The measured results show a good agreement with the simulations, validating the design procedure.