What are Waveguide Antennas?
In the realm of radio engineering, an antenna is described simply as an interface that converts transmitter voltages into radio signals to both send and receive transmissions. Antennas can range from fairly simple to very powerful, such as radio antennas and satellite antennas. Waveguide antennas in particular are a specific antenna type, allowing for RF energy to be channeled from an air medium and transformed into a waveguide, as well as the reverse process. In this blog, we will discuss more on what waveguide antennas are, as well as the various types of waveguide antennas that are presently used and their properties.
Typically, when RF energy is received, it is conducted through the waveguide interconnect or held within the coaxial interface to be transmitted through a coaxial assembly at a later time. As waveguide antennas are symmetric systems, the frequency range and antenna polarization are dependent upon the waveguide antenna type and size. When deciding between waveguide antennas for a given application, there are some important factors and parameters to keep in mind. These factors include frequency range, gain, beam width, beam height, impedance, input VSWR, antenna pattern, polarization, whether the antenna is coaxial or waveguide, size, weight, and input power handling.
The frequency range of a waveguide antenna is important, as it dictates the frequencies in which the waveguide antenna may transmit and receive from. The gain of the antenna then describes how capable the antenna is for converting the input power it receives into radio waves in a designated direction. Beam width refers to the angle of which the radio signal is emitted, affecting the signal strength and radiation distance. Similarly, beam height refers to the height of the center of radiation that is emitted by the antenna. The higher the signal is emitted, the more powerful and effective it may be, extending the range of long distance communication based on altitude.
The impedance of an antenna transmission describes the voltage and current at the antenna input, as well as the amount of energy that is lost from radiating away or absorption by the antenna. VSWR, or voltage standing wave ratio, refers to the measure of impedance matching of loads against the characteristic impedance of the waveguide itself. The antenna pattern of an antenna is similar to band width and height, though it focuses on the 3D measurement of how a particular antenna receives and sends signals across planes. Lastly, polarization properties of an antenna describe the act of constricting vibrations of a transverse wave into a single direction.
The size of the antenna and waveguide are also important characteristics that may affect the frequency of the device. Coaxial waveguide antennas will have limited frequency range by the design of the coaxial interface and the waveguide antenna itself. Often, lower frequency waveguide antennas tend to be too small for a variety of applications due to their size. With an understanding of the various properties and characteristics of waveguide antennas and their operations, the next step before procuring specific hardware is to decide which of the various types of waveguide antennas is best fit for a specific application. In general, the main types of waveguide antennas include the standard gain horn, conical horn, conical gain horn, probe, lens horn, sector, omni-directional, broadband horn, wide angle scalar feed horn, circular scalar feed horn, dual polarized horn, dual polarized feed horn, and dual polarized scalar feed horn.
Horn type waveguide antennas, such as conical horn and scalar horn types, are those that feature a metallic structure that is shaped similarly to that of a musical horn. These types of waveguide antennas are typically rectangular or conical in shape, and they serve as directional antennas. Depending on the shape of the antenna, the polarization may operate with either a conical or pyramidal cross-section. With such cross-sections, the horn type waveguide antenna is capable of minimal internal reflections.
If the antenna in question is a standard gain horn waveguide antenna, then it may be beneficial for a variety of uses due to their high power handling capabilities, near constant electrical performance, low loss, high directivity, and other such properties. Alongside the standard gain horn waveguide antenna, the probe type waveguide antenna is engineered for antenna measurements, laboratory use, wireless communications, and microwave radio systems.
The waveguide lens antenna is a type that utilizes the convergence and divergence properties of a lens so that it may focus the radio frequency received by the waveguide antenna to a point source. Typically, the waveguide lens antenna is most often used for operations that need an antenna with a wide bandwidth and high directive abilities.
Omni-directional waveguide antennas are those that are designed to emit a radio frequency over 360 degrees, setting it apart from horn and fan shaped antennas. Broadband waveguide antennas, while not able to emit 360 degrees of transmission, are able to transmit over a wide bandwidth. Dual polarized antennas are able to cater towards both elliptical and linear polarized waveforms. Finally, the waveguide feed antenna has the function of transferring radio frequency energy to another antenna. Because of this, waveguide feed antennas are sometimes called feed antennas or feed horn as dictated by their type.
Across all types of waveguide antennas, there are many applications and operations that may be fulfilled depending on the desired waveguide antenna parameter or capabilities. When it comes time to begin sourcing the waveguide antennas and related hardware that you need for your next project or operation, Fulfillment by ASAP has you covered with everything you are searching for. Fulfillment by ASAP is owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, and we can help you find the aviation, NSN, and electronic parts that you are searching for, new or obsolete. As a premier supplier of parts for the aerospace, civil aviation, and defense industries, we're always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7x365. ASAP Semiconductor is an AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 0056B Accredited enterprise. For a quick and competitive quote, email us at sales@fulfillmentbyasap.com or call us at +1-714-705-4780.