Design, analysis and verification of integrated horn array for fast evaluation of probe‐fed antenna measurement setup

Abstract

Several advanced measurement setups are built up to characterise millimetre-wave (mmWave) antennas fed by microelectronic probes. To evaluate these setups themselves, two or more high-cost antenna samples are conventionally required for several time-consuming calibrations. A low-cost horn array for fast evaluation is proposed, theoretically analysed, and experimentally validated. This horn array simultaneously radiates at end-fire and broad side, and therefore can be used to replace two standalone samples such as patch and Yagi antennas. Moreover, this horn array features rippled pattern with a precisely-controllable series of nulls for sensitivity measurement and straightforward comparison for evaluation. By using the substrate integrated waveguide structure, a mmWave horn array is fabricated in a single-layer printed circuit board to feature easy fabrication and low cost. Good agreement between simulation and measurement shows that, the proposed horn array significantly facilitate a fast and low-cost evaluation of the probe-fed antenna measurement setup.