基于3D打印技术的高性能电介质加载开口波导天线研究

Conventional open-end waveguide antennas are often with the disadvantages of bulky size, heavy weight, inability to realize complex configurations, long fabrication term and high cost. In order to overcome these problems, in this project, we propose a novel 3D printing technology based open-end waveguide antenna. The proposed antenna is with a complementary configuration to the conventional waveguide. In essence, it is an open-end waveguide antenna that is fully loaded with dielectric material. In our preliminary study, it is found that the antenna has not only good radiation performance but also ability of overcoming the problems mentioned above. Compared to the existing studies on the 3D printed antenna, the proposed antenna is a design that merges 3D printing technology with antenna theory, and features compact size and good mechanic performance. In this project, 3D printing is not only employed as a processing method, but also involved in the operation of the antenna playing a role of the dielectric. This project continues our preliminary study and aims at solving the problems that raised throughout merging 3D printing and antenna theory. The following aspects will be studied in this project: (1) Fundamental problems on guiding and radiation of dielectric fully loaded hybrid waveguide structures; (2) High performance dielectric loaded open-end waveguide antenna elements with irregular configurations; (3) Simplification methods for 3D printed dielectric loaded open-end waveguide antenna arrays. The implementation of this study will improve the conventional technologies of the open-end waveguide antenna and enrich the existing antenna theories and designs.

传统的开口波导天线往往存在尺寸大、重量重、难以实现复杂结构、加工周期长、成本高的缺点。针对这些问题，本项目拟提出一类基于3D打印技术的开口波导天线。其采用与传统波导互补的结构形式，本质为完全加载电介质的开口波导型天线。在前期研究中我们发现，该类天线不仅具有优良的电气性能，还可以克服以上传统天线所存在的问题。相较于目前的3D打印天线，该类天线是将3D打印技术与天线理论融合的设计且具有尺寸紧凑、机械强度好的优点。3D打印将不仅作为加工手段，还将以电介质的形式直接参与天线的工作。本项目将在前期研究基础之上，解决二者在融合过程中出现的技术问题。研究内容包括：1）电介质加载混合波导结构导波与辐射的基础性问题研究；2）融合异形结构的高性能电介质加载开口波导天线单元研究；3）基于3D打印技术的电介质加载开口波导天线阵列化简研究。本项目的实施将有望改良传统的开口波导天线技术，丰富现有的天线理论与设计。

3D打印技术是一项新兴的先进加工技术，在处理复杂结构、节省原材料、时效性等方面具有较强的优势。本项目将该技术与开口波导天线设计相结合，针对以下三个方面展开了深入的理论和工程研究：1）电介质加载混合波导结构导波与辐射的基础性问题研究；2）融合异形结构的高性能电介质加载开口波导天线单元研究；3）基于3D打印技术的电介质加载开口波导天线阵列化简研究。通过研究，提出了多款高性能（低反射、宽带、高增益、高效率）的天线单元以及阵列设计，并从理论上分析了天线的工作机理，从工程上给出了设计方法，从实验上进行了科学验证。这些设计具有尺寸紧凑、重量轻、易加工、一体成型、加工周期短等的优点，有效地解决了传统设计中所存在的问题。此外，在保证本项目顺利开展的情况下，申请人还将研究内容延伸至基于3D打印技术的透射阵天线研究，并取得了不错的成果。本项目实现了预定的研究目标，共发表学术论文13篇，包括SCI期刊论文7篇（IEEE Trans on AP文章2篇，IEEE AWPL文章1篇），EI会议论文6篇；申请发明专利14项，授权7项，授权实用新型专利1项。另外，在本项目资助下，申请人指导学生获得多项奖项，包括学术会议的优秀学生论文奖、研究生奖学金等。综上所述，本项目超额完成了研究内容，取得的各项成果均超过预期指标。