Compact parallel‐plate waveguide half‐Luneburg geodesic lens in the Ka‐band

Abstract

Abstract A parallel‐plate waveguide half‐Luneburg geodesic lens is designed and experimentally validated in the Ka‐band. The geodesic lens profile is modulated using spline functions to reduce its height, while the symmetry halving the lens enables reduction of its in‐plane dimensions. This design provides high gain, equivalent to that of a full‐Luneburg lens, over a reduced angular range of ±20° to ±30° in azimuth. The specific design reported here has a maximum realized gain of 23.3 dBi in measurement, compared with 23.8 dBi for a full‐Luneburg lens twice the size of this design. Very wideband operation is demonstrated both in simulations and measurements. This design is of interest for applications having limited space like millimetre‐wave systems on board cubesats and small satellites.