Group Members:
Muhammad Talha
Aimen Hafeez
Faizan Asif
Proposal Title:
Design and Implementation of a Compact Ultra-Wideband Antenna Array for
Communication Systems and Electronic Warfare Applications
Introduction:
Ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna arrays have become important in both communication
systems and electronic warfare (EW). An Ultra-Wideband (UWB) antenna operates
across a broad frequency spectrum, typically spanning several gigahertz, making it
suitable for both communication and electronic warfare (EW) applications. For
communication, UWB antennas enable high-speed data transmission due to their ability
to cover a wide frequency range. In EW, they play a critical role in detecting, jamming,
and countering electromagnetic threats or evading signals, as well as for radar
applications such as precision imaging and target tracking. This proposal aims to design
and implement a UWB antenna array capable of meeting the demands of both
communication and EW applications, with a focus on achieving wide bandwidth, high gain
and beam steering capability in a compact form-factor.
Brief Literature Review:
The development of UWB antennas has been a significant research focus, leading to
various designs tailored for communication and electronic warfare (EW) needs. In
communication, UWB antennas are employed in high data-rate wireless systems due to
their wide frequency range and ability to support rapid data transmission. Conventionally,
antennas like Vivaldi [1] or Spiral [2] are used for wideband operations; however, their
large size often poses challenges, making them less suitable for compact array
configurations. As a result, there is a growing interest in designing more compact UWB
antennas that can maintain wide bandwidth while supporting efficient array integration for
both communication and EW applications. Reference [3] achieved an ultra-wideband
tightly coupled array using a modified planar printed quasi-Yagi antenna with enhanced
coupling and simplified structure operating effectively over the 6 to 18 GHz frequency
range. Despite progress, challenges persist in achieving optimal performance across the
entire bandwidth of the antenna, including impedance matching, gain stability, and
compact design. Addressing these challenges with innovative design and integration
approaches will enhance the dual-use potential of UWB antennas.
Methodology:
The proposed research will follow a structured methodology aimed at the design,
simulation, fabrication, and testing of a UWB antenna array:
1. Design Phase:
Investigating and selecting an appropriate antenna element, such as the
o
microstrip patch, dielectric resonating antenna, slot-based etc. based on a
comprehensive review of these existing designs.
2. Simulation Phase:
o Using advanced electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g., CST Microwave
Studio or HFSS) to optimize the design parameters, including element
spacing, substrate material, and feeding mechanism.
o Performing a detailed analysis of the antenna's performance over a wide
frequency range (2 GHz to 18 GHz) in terms of impedance matching,
radiation patterns, gain, and efficiency.
o Evaluating the impact of different array configurations (linear vs. planar) and
feeding techniques (corporate feed vs. series feed) on the antenna’s
bandwidth and radiation characteristics.
3. Fabrication Phase:
o Fabricating the optimized antenna array on a suitable substrate using a low-
cost, high-performance material such as Rogers RT/Duroid.
o Testing the fabricated prototype using a vector network (VNA) to measure
its voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and its radiation patterns in an
anechoic chamber.
4. Analysis and Optimization:
o Comparing the measured results with simulated data to identify
discrepancies for further refinement (if necessary).
o Applying techniques such as impedance matching and load balancing to
optimize the overall performance of the array.
Expected Results and Significance:
The proposed UWB antenna array is expected to achieve a wide operational bandwidth
(2 GHz to 18 GHz), high gain (>10 dBi), and improved radiation efficiency (>85%). The
array design will provide stable radiation patterns and low side-lobe levels, which are
critical for high-precision applications like radar and wireless sensor networks.
Furthermore, the research will contribute to the ongoing development of UWB
communication systems by offering a compact, low-cost, and high-performance antenna
solution, with potential applications in 5G networks, IoT devices, and medical imaging.
Timeline:
Month 1-2: Literature review and design specification development.
Month 3-4: Simulation of antenna array designs and optimization of parameters.
Month 5-6: Fabrication of antenna array prototypes.
Month 7-8: Testing and evaluation of fabricated prototypes in an anechoic
chamber.
Month 9: Final analysis, report writing, and dissemination of findings.
This proposal outlines a plan to develop an efficient UWB antenna array that addresses
the critical demands of modern communication systems, offering a wide bandwidth, high
gain, and optimal performance for diverse applications.
References
[1] M. Amador, A. Rouco, D. Albuquerque and P. Pinho, "Ultra-Wideband Vivaldi Antenna for Through-
Wall-Radar Applications," 2024 IEEE-APS Topical Conference on Antennas and Propagation in
Wireless Communications (APWC), Lisbon, Portugal, 2024, pp. 154-158, doi:
10.1109/APWC61918.2024.10701805.
[2] H. Zhu, H. Ruan, H. Zhai, C. Zhu and N. Wang, "A Decoupling Structure of Ultra-wideband based
on Planar Spiral Antenna Array," 2024 International Applied Computational Electromagnetics
Society Symposium (ACES-China), Xi'an, China, 2024, pp. 1-3, doi: 10.1109/ACES-
China62474.2024.10699616.
[3] B. Hou et al., "Design of Ultra Wideband Tightly Coupled Array Using Quasi-Yagi Antenna," 2023
Cross Strait Radio Science and Wireless Technology Conference (CSRSWTC), Guilin, China,
2023, pp. 1-3, doi: 10.1109/CSRSWTC60855.2023.10426931.
