Broadband cloverleaf Vivaldi antenna with beam tilt characteristics

Abstract

A miniature broadband Vivaldi antenna with beam tilt characteristics suitable for lower 5G bands is presented in this article. This study is rationalized by adding two symmetric taper slots rotated 90° from the original single slot planar tapered antenna and by means of positive-intrinsic-negative diode as the switching component. The extended design with a cloverleaf shape is developed using computer simulation technology microwave studio and fabricated by integrating active MA4AGP907 diodes. The experimental results are validated using PNA network analyzer and an echoic chamber. A wide operating bandwidth (S11 ≤ |−10| dB) from 2 to 5 GHz is exhibited during the simulation of antenna performance as well as during the experimental process. Furthermore, the proposed design achieved beam tilt in three different orientations with the maximum at ϕ equals 0°; 90° and 180° in the XY coordinates at the peak gain of 5.19 dBi. An additional feature of the proposed design is the directivity control when two or three modes are switched simultaneously. With this beam tilt ability, the antenna can be used in the development of fifth generation communication systems where multibeam and directive beam are required.