A high efficiency slot array antenna with single layered gap waveguide feeding system for long-range wireless systems

This paper presents a slot array antenna composed of H-plane horns as radiating slots and a pillbox feeding mechanism in gap waveguide (GW) technology. This new configuration presents a new full-metal slot array antenna with low complexity, fabrication cost, and high gain with directive radiation, which can make it a good candidate for use in long-range wireless systems. Making use of an H-plane reflector in the feeding part of the antenna has removed the need for a corporate feed network and enhanced the structure's simplicity. Moreover, the use of semi-horn-shaped radiating slots has improved the antenna efficiency by resolving the grating lobe issue associated with transverse slots. These features make the proposed antenna easily scalable for higher gains without imposing extra complexity on the design and fabrication process. The GW technology also lets the proposed antenna be a promising solution for the next-generation millimeter-wave systems. In addition, the proposed fully metallic antenna leverages a design that offers high efficiency and a flat gain response over the desired bandwidth. A fabricated prototype exhibits 60-90% overall efficiency over an impedance bandwidth of about 8% ([Formula: see text] < -10 dB), and a 2.5 dB gain variation across the operating bandwidth.