3D-Printed Silver-Coated Vivaldi Array with Integrated Coaxial Probe Feeding

Paper in proceeding, 2024

A Vivaldi antenna array is designed for large phased array applications in the 3-6 GHz frequency range and is fed by a novel coaxial probe through the ground plane. The simulated infinite array active reflection coefficient is below -10 dB for an up to ± 60° scan in the E-plane and ± 50° in the H-plane, across the entire frequency range. The measured active reflection coefficient and array pattern for a small-scale 1 × 5 Vivaldi array are in good agreement with the simulations, which validate the infinite array model including the probe feeding concept. Furthermore, the 3D printing and silver-coating fabrication process proves useful for rapid and cost-effective prototyping.