A 3D Printed Quad-Ridged Flared Horn Antenna Feeder for Radio-Telescopes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a 3D-printed quad-ridged flared horn antenna for radio-telescopes, combining theoretical design, mechanical adaptation, and innovative coating techniques to achieve dual polarization and broad frequency coverage.

Contribution

It presents a novel 3D-printed horn antenna with dual polarization, optimized mechanical design, and a unique slotted waveguide coating method for radio-telescope applications.

Findings

Achieves 1-3 GHz impedance matching in both polarizations

Demonstrates excellent port isolation

Shows close agreement between simulation and design results

Abstract

This study proposes a 3D-printed, quad-ridged, dual-pol, flared horn antenna feeder to meet the demands of a modern radio-telescope. The research work presented in this paper involves both the theoretical and the customized / adapted mechanical design of the proposed horn antenna, as well as a description of the 3D-printing and coating process. A novel slotted waveguide approach is followed for perfectly homogeneous coating. Additional mechanical adaptions (i.e. optimized feed section, radome) are employed to provide realistic simulation results. The proposed antenna offers a dual polarization capability and an attractive radiation beam to properly illuminate a 6m mesh dish reflector. A satisfying impedance matching from 1-3 GHz is achieved in both polarizations while maintaining an excellent isolation between the two N-type ports. Reflection coefficient and radiation pattern simulation results are presented, derived from the theoretical and the adapted mechanical design, exhibiting a close agreement.