A Novel Radial Corrugated Vivaldi Antenna for UWB Applications and Enhanced Gain

The increasing demand for high-speed wireless communication has intensified the need for compact and efficient planar antennas that can be seamlessly integrated into modern electronic systems. This study presents a novel microstrip-fed profiled planar antenna, which enhances the conventional Vivaldi antenna design by introducing radial corrugations. These structural modifications significantly improve antenna performance by suppressing surface waves, enhancing radiation directivity, and increasing gain. Full-wave electromagnetic simulations were conducted using a professional solver, and the design was validated through physical fabrication and testing. The antenna, constructed on a 1.6 mm thick FR4 substrate and measuring 89.35 × 52.46 mm², was evaluated in an anechoic chamber. Results demonstrate a broad operating bandwidth from 3 GHz to 11 GHz and a peak gain of 12.03 dBi. Our study also highlights the importance of radial spacing and the symmetric placement of 24 corrugations, which contribute to gain enhancement by improving current uniformity and minimizing edge diffractions. Comparative analysis between simulated and measured return loss (S11) and gain values shows strong agreement, validating the accuracy of the design process. Furthermore, performance was consistently assessed at each UWB frequency point (from 3 to 11 GHz in 1 GHz steps), confirming stable high-gain behavior across the entire UWB range. This antenna design holds strong potential for advanced UWB communication systems requiring high efficiency and wideband performance.