applied
sciences
Article
Low-Profile Dual-Polarized Antenna Integrated with Horn and
Vivaldi Antenna in Millimeter-Wave Band
Xiaoyan Yu 1 , Jianxing Li 1, * , Jianping Hu 2 , Yuan Yao 1 , Jianwu Li 3 and Sen Yan 1
Citation: Yu, X.; Li, J.; Hu, J.; Yao, Y.;
Li, J.; Yan, S. Low-Profile
Dual-Polarized Antenna Integrated
with Horn and Vivaldi Antenna in
Millimeter-Wave Band. Appl. Sci.
2023, 13, 9627. https://doi.org/
10.3390/app13179627
Academic Editor: Mario Lucido
Received: 5 August 2023
Revised: 23 August 2023
Accepted: 24 August 2023
Published: 25 August 2023
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179627
1 School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China;
xiaoyanyu_xjtu@163.com (X.Y.); yuxiaoyan11@stu.xjtu.edu.cn (Y.Y.); sen.yan@mail.xjtu.edu.cn (S.Y.)
2 Unit 93128, The Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Beijing 100000, China; hoojianping@126.com
3 Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Electronic Information Functional Materials and Devices, Huanghe Science
and Technology College, Zhengzhou 450061, China; lijianwu@bit-at.cn
* Correspondence: jianxingli.china@xjtu.edu.cn
Abstract: In this paper, a dual-polarized antenna based on a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW)
horn antenna and Vivaldi antenna is proposed. The horizontal polarization (HP) is achieved by using
the H-plane SIW horn antenna, while the vertical polarization (VP) is realized by a typical Vivaldi
antenna etched on the surface of the SIW horn antenna. In front of the horn aperture, a dielectric lens
is designed to optimize impedance matching and enhance directivity. Different feeding structures
of the two polarizations are used to enhance the isolation between the two ports. The measured
results demonstrate a 20.04–25.5 GHz (23.97%) overlapped dual-polarized impedance bandwidth,
and the measured maximum gains of the HP and VP are 5.2 dBi and 8.2 dBi, respectively. A good
isolation of 35 dB within the operating band is realized. The proposed dual-polarized antenna meets
the demand to transmit and receive signals in two polarization directions simultaneously for wireless
communication well.
Keywords: dielectric lens; dual-polarized antenna; SIW horn antenna; Vivaldi antenna
1. Introduction
Over the past few decades, 5G has become a topic that people are discussing and
interested in. As 4G systems and technologies mature, the improvements people can make
and the spectrum people can choose on 4G are becoming less. However, with the advances
of video streaming media and mobile phones, wireless data will increase rapidly, and
data explosion will be produced. Evidently, 4G networks cannot meet the demand which
is brought by immense numbers of data. In addition to the huge number of data, the
number of devices and data transfer rates will also show exponential growth. This requires
engineers to come up with new directions, of which super-densification, millimeter wave,
and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) are the most anticipated directions [1,2]. The
purpose of chasing extreme densification is to enhance the area spectral efficiency, which
can accommodate more active nodes in a smaller area. Attaining this goal will require
making smaller cells [3,4]. The first generation of the cells, which have the size of hundreds
of square kilometers, appeared in the early 1980s. After several iterations, the cell sizes
are now down to a few hundred meters. The reduction in cell size allows the reuse of the
spectrum, thereby reducing the number of users per base station (BS). Therefore, it is to
be expected that the cell size will be further reduced. The progress of MIMO can increase
spectral efficiency, as well. MIMO represents the spatial dimension of the communication.
When multi-antennas are used in BSs and mobile devices, the spatial characteristics will
come out. Since the late 1990s, MIMO technology has been widely studied, and it was
introduced into the WiFi system in 2006 and used to build 3G communication systems [5,6].
MIMO has been an inherent component when long-term evolution becomes mature. There
are at least two antennas in a mobile device, and up to eight antennas per BS section.
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Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627 2 of 12

In [7], the effect of increasing the number of antennas is described in detail, and it has
three significant advantages. Firstly, spectral efficiency can be enhanced enormously [8].
Secondly, channel responses can become smooth on account of the large spatial diversity.
At last, due to the quasiorthogonal character between each BS, simple structures can be
used to transmit and receive signals.
However, regardless of the development of densification and MIMO, a wider band
is required [9]. At present, the microwave frequency band has been almost completely
occupied. So, in order to use more new bands, enhancing the frequency and developing
millimeter wave is one direction. There are a lot of free spectrums in the millimeter wave
band, and there is also some free spectrum in the 20–30 GHz range. However, millimeter
wave bands are limited due to high path loss, atmospheric absorption, and high equipment
costs in the past, and the focus has been on WiFi and fixed wireless bands, such as 28 GHz,
38 GHz, 71–76 GHz, and 81–86 GHz. However, as semiconductors mature, the cost and
power consumption of building millimeter wave systems are falling rapidly. Other obstacles
are also thought to be surmountable [10–12]. The millimeter wave spectrum can meet the
bandwidth requirements for 5G development, as well Therefore, the millimeter wave is an
important direction for the development of communication systems.
As a key component of a communication system, an antenna’s performance is closely
related to the whole communication system. Therefore, it is important to propose dif-
ferent millimeter wave antennas to meet different demands. With the development of
millimeter wave antennas, a variety of antennas with different performance have been
published, such as the multiband antenna, dual-frequency antenna, dual-polarized an-
tenna, circularly polarized antenna, and so on. The dual-polarized antenna is one of the
key technologies in wireless communication. Using a dual-polarized antenna can realize
polarization diversity and improve the capacity and reliability of a wireless communication
link. The dual-polarized antenna is realized by feeding two ports of the same antenna
to excite two orthogonal polarization modes. At present, many dual-polarized antennas
have been published, such as magnetoelectric dipole (ME-dipole) antennas [13–15], horn
antennas [16,17], substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) antennas [18,19], and patch an-
tennas [20,21]. In [13], a wideband dual-polarized antenna in a millimeter wave band is
investigated. The ME-dipole is composed of four patches and fed by two pairs of orthog-
onal T-shaped probes. A port is connected with a pair of probes by a T-shaped power
divider; thus, dual-polarized performance is realized when the different port is excited.
The antenna achieves an overlapped impedance bandwidth of over 50% and isolation
higher than 17.8 dB. An 8 × 8 dual-polarized ME-dipole antenna array is published in [14].
The antenna element employs the metallic pillars and cavity as ME-dipoles. A cross slots
is used to excite two polarizations. Finally, the antenna array maintains an impedance
bandwidth from 34.7 to 39.7 GHz (13.4%), as well as a mutual coupling of below 27 dB
in the operating band. In [15], a dual-polarized ME-dipole antenna fed by a fork-shaped
microstrip line is present. The antenna element is formed with four patches and two cross
slots. Then, a 1 × 4 antenna array is designed, fabricated, and tested. The antenna array
has an overlapped −10 dB impedance bandwidth in 28–33.5 GHz. In [16], a L-shaped
horn antenna is proposed. The antenna is filled with dielectric material and fed by two
orthogonal waveguides. A wide impedance bandwidth is obtained within 34–40 GHz,
and the mutual coupling of the two ports is below 15 dB. In [18], a dual-polarized SIW
phased array is investigated. By curving slots on the SIW cavity surface, the antenna can
radiate electromagnetic waves. Dual polarization is realized by a differentially fed SIW
cavity and a microstrip line. A 1 × 4 antenna array is then constructed. The antenna array
obtains an impedance bandwidth from 25.8 to 28.8 GHz (11.0%). The isolation is higher
than 31.5 dB. A substrate-integrated mode-based end-fire antenna is presented in [19].
A sandwich structure, which is composed of two metal blocks with an open-ended slot,
is designed to radiate electromagnetic waves. And the horizontal polarization (HP) is
based on the transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode; in addition, the vertical polarization
(VP) is excited by TE10 mode. The antenna achieves a wide impedance bandwidth of
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627 3 of 12

24.8–32.5 GHz (26.9%). A high isolation between the two polarizations of over 36 dB is also
realized. A dual-polarized Spoof-surface-plasmon-polaritons (SSPP) fed patch antenna
array is proposed in [20]. Two orthogonal SSPPs are simply connected to a square patch.
Therefore, the TM01 mode and TM10 mode can be excited simultaneously, and the dual
polarization is obtained. Measurement results shows that the antenna has the −10 dB
impedance bandwidth of 13.7% and the isolation is more than 15 dB. In [21], a dual-band
dual-polarized patch antenna is studied. The antenna uses two pairs of stacked ring patches
to obtain dual-band performance. The feeding structure is formed by two striplines coupled
with orthogonal H-slots, which makes the antenna gain the dual-polarization in two bands.
There are still lots of way to promote the performance of dual-polarized antennas.
However, in order to chase wide impedance matching, the configuration of antennas be-
comes more complex. It also led to an increase in antenna size and a decrease in radiation
efficiency. To maintain wideband performance and simple structure, horn antennas can be
seen as a potential candidate. However, horn antennas are always designed in microwave
bands with an all-metal configuration. They are not suitable in millimeter wave bands
because of their bulky size and difficulty to integrate. To solve this problem, horn anten-
nas in the millimeter wave band can be designed using substrate-integrated waveguide
technology. The substrate-integrated waveguide technique can be used to confine the
electromagnetic energy in the waveguide cavity by replacing the metal wall with a uni-
form array of metal columns. By using substrate-integrated waveguide technology, horn
antennas can gain the advantages of easy integration and a low profile [22–24]. In [22], a
dual-polarized end-fire antenna array is achieved by integrating dipoles on the SIW horns.
A pair of dipoles produces HP, while SIW horn antennas radiate VP. The dual-polarized
antenna can cover the 5G bands of N257 and N258 and achieve a maximum gain of 6.5 dBi
for both polarizations. The isolation between two ports is higher than 15 dB. In [23], a
dual-polarized antenna element is designed by combining an HP dipole and a VP H-plane
horn antenna, and then a 1 × 4 antenna array is designed and fabricated. The impedance
bandwidth where the |S11 | < −10 dB for both polarizations is 24.4–29.5 GHz. In the
operating band, the maximum gain is 16 dBi, with an isolation higher than 20 dB. An
E-band SIW dual-polarized horn antenna with an orthomode transducer is proposed in [24].
An SIW section is adopted to excite the TE10 mode and produce VP. The quasi-TEM mode
is excited by a quasi-coaxial stripline, and HP is generated. Its impedance bandwidth
lower than −10 dB is from 83 to 87 GHz and achieves a maximum gain of 14 dBi for
HP and 15.2 dBi for VP. The isolation between two polarizations is higher than 25 dB.
In the abovementioned designs, in order to realize the dual polarization, the SIW horn
antennas are always combined with complex feeding structures. This will increase the
difficulty of fabrication and increase the antenna size. The isolation between two ports is
also not good enough. Therefore, it is sufficient to provide a wide-band dual-polarized
antenna with a simple radiation configuration and feeding structures as well as a good
isolation performance.
In this paper, a low-profile dual-polarized antenna is proposed by integrating a tra-
ditional Vivaldi antenna on the surface of the SIW H-plane horn antenna to realize dual
polarizations. The Vivaldi antenna radiates VP electromagnetic waves, and the horn an-
tenna radiates HP electromagnetic waves. A dielectric lens is loaded at the aperture of the
horn antenna for better impedance matching and enhancing directivity. To improve the
isolation between two ports, two different feeding structures are utilized to excite different
ports. The proposed dual-polarized antenna is fabricated and measured, which achieves
a −10 dB impedance bandwidth from 20.94 GHz to 25.50 GHz for both polarizations. In
the operating band, the antenna achieves a maximum gain of 8.2 dBi. The proposed dual-
polarized antenna is suitable for 5G mm-wave communication. In Section 2, the design
procedure of the dual-polarized antenna is illustrated, including the simulation results of
the SIW horn antenna and Vivaldi antenna. In Section 3, parametric study is presented
which is used to verify the influence of different parameters on antenna performance. The
dual-polarized antenna is fabricated and tested. A comparison of the antenna simulation
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Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627 4 of 12

which is used to verify the influence of different parameters on antenna performance. The
dual-polarized antenna is fabricated and tested. A comparison of the antenna simulation
and test results as well as a comparison of this antenna with other published antennas are
and test results as well as a comparison of this antenna with other published antennas are
given in Section
givenIV.inSection
SectionV4.draws a conclusion
Section of this work.
5 draws a conclusion of this work.

2. Design of2.Dual-Polarized Antenna

Design of Dual-Polarized Antenna
The geometry of geometry
The the dual-polarization antenna is displayed
of the dual-polarization indisplayed
antenna is Figure 1. The antenna
in Figure 1. The antenna
is composedisofcomposed
an SIW H−plane
of an SIWhornH −antenna,
plane horna Vivaldi antenna,
antenna, andantenna,
a Vivaldi a dielectric
andlens.
a dielectric lens.
Two Arlon AD430 substrates
Two Arlon AD430(εr = 4.3, tanδ
substrates (εr= =0.003) and =three
4.3, tanδ copper
0.003) layers
and three are used
copper to are used to
layers
construct theconstruct
antenna. the
These structures are assembled by screws. The dual−polarized an-
antenna. These structures are assembled by screws. The dual−polarized
tenna was modeled
antennain CST
was studio 2020.
modeled in CST studio 2020.

(a)

(b)

(c)
Figure 1. Geometry
Figureof
1.the proposed
Geometry antenna.
of the (a) 3D
proposed view. (b)
antenna. (a)Top view. (b)
3D view. (c) Top
Sideview.
view.(c) Side view.

The Vivaldi antenna is etched

The Vivaldi antenna onisboth surfaces
etched on both of the horn of
surfaces antenna
the hornand fed through
antenna and fed through a
a microstrip microstrip
line with a line
fan−shaped
with a fan terminal.
−shaped The fan−shaped
terminal. feeding
The fan line is
−shaped located
feeding at the
line is located at the
top of Substrate 1 as
top of port 1. The
Substrate 1 ashorn
port antenna
1. The hornis located
antenna onisthe loweron
located dielectric
the lower substrate
dielectric substrate
and fed by aand
grounded
fed bycoplanar
a grounded waveguide
coplanar(GCPW)
waveguide to an(GCPW)
SIW transition line transition
to an SIW as port 2. Aline as port 2.
lens is loaded at the
A lens aperture
is loaded at of
thethe horn antenna
aperture for better
of the horn antenna impedance
for bettermatching
impedance andmatching and
higher directivity.
higher directivity.
The structure The
of structure
the H−plane of the
hornH− plane horn
antenna antenna
is shown is shown
in Figure in Figure
2. To ensure 2. To the
that ensure that the
horn antennahorn
onlyantenna
transmitsonly
thetransmits
TE10 mode thethroughout
TE10 mode the throughout
operatingthe operating
band, band,
the width Wthe
2 width W 2
and W
and W6 and thickness 6 and thickness t
t2 of the antenna 2 of are calculated and designed according to [25,26]. to [25,26].
the antenna are calculated and designed according
Since the thickness of the antenna
Since the thickness of the antenna is much smaller is muchthansmaller than thewavelength,
the operating operating wavelength,
the the
beamwidth of beamwidth
the E−plane the E−plane
of radiation radiation
pattern is wide,pattern
and theis wide, and thematching
impedance impedance matching is poor.
is poor.
To problems,
To solve these solve thesea problems, a dielectric
dielectric lens is loaded lensatisthe
loaded at the
aperture ofaperture
the hornof the horn
antenna asantenna as a
dielectric guided structure in the E−plane. The simulated impedance matching is shown in
Figure 3. After adding the dielectric lens, the impedance matching is obviously improved,
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a dielectric guided
a dielectric guided structure
structure ininthetheE−plane.
E−plane. The simulated impedance matching isis
shown
a dielectric guided structure in the E−plane. The The simulated
simulated impedance
impedance matching
matching is shownshown
ininFigure 3. After adding the dielectric lens, the impedance matching is obviously im-
in Figure 3. After adding the dielectric lens, the impedance matching is obviously im- im-
Figure 3. After adding the dielectric lens, the impedance matching is obviously
proved,
proved, which covers
which covers the bandwidths
the bandwidths of 25.31–26.71
of 25.31–26.71 GHz.
GHz. The comparison of the radia-
proved,
which which
coverscovers the bandwidths
the bandwidths ofthe of 25.31–26.71
25.31–26.71 GHz. The GHz. The The
comparison
comparison
comparison
ofthe of the
theloading
radiation
of radia-
the radia-
patterns
tion
tionpatterns
patternswith and without lens is plotted in Figure 4. With of ananap-
tionwith
patterns
and withwith
without
and
andthe
withoutwithout
lens is the the lens
lens
plotted in
is plotted
is Figure
plotted inWith
4.
in Figure
Figure the
4. With
4.loading
With the
of
the loading
loading
an of anofap-
appropriate
ap-
−size
propriate−size
propriate−size lens, the
lens, theradiated
radiated beamwidth
beamwidth of the
of thehornhorn antenna
antenna is significantly
is significantly narrowed.
narrowed.
propriate−size lens, the
lens, the radiated radiated beamwidth
beamwidth of the horn antenna is significantly narrowed.
Consequently,
Consequently, the
thedirectivity
directivity ofof
of
thehorn
the hornantenna
theishorn
antenna
antenna isisissignificantly
improved
improved fromnarrowed.
from 5.8 dBi
5.8 dBi
Consequently,
toto
9.0
9.0dBi at 26
dBi
Consequently,
the theof
directivity directivity
the horn of the
antenna horn antenna
improved isfrom
improved 5.8 dBifrom
to 5.8dBi
9.0 dBiatto
26 9.0 dBi
GHz. at 26at 26
GHz.
GHz.
GHz.

(a) (b)
(a) (a) (b) (b)
Figure
Figure
Figure2.2.2.
Geometry
Geometryofof
Geometry SIW
ofSIWH−−plane
SIW horn
−−plane
HH−−plane antenna.
horn (a)(a)
antenna. Top
(a) view.
Top (b)(b)
view. Side
(b) view.
Side view.
Figure 2. Geometry of SIW H−−plane hornhorn antenna.
antenna. (a) Top Top
view.view.
(b) Side Side
view.view.

Figure
Figure3. 3.
Comparison ofof
Comparison S−parameters ofof
SIW horn antenna with and without lens.
Figure
Figure 3. Comparison
3. Comparison of SS−parameters
−parameters
of S−parameters of SIW
of SIW hornhorn
SIW horn antenna
antenna
antenna with
withwith and
and without
without
and without lens.
lens.lens.

(a) (b)
(a) (a) (b) (b)
Figure
Figure 4. 4.
Comparison
Comparison ofof
radiation pattern
radiation patternofof
SIW horn
SIW antenna
horn with
antenna and
with without
and withoutlens
lensatat
2626
GHz.
GHz.
Figure 4. Comparison
Figure
(a) 4. Comparison
E−plane. (b)(b) of radiation
H−plane. pattern
of radiation of SIW
pattern hornhorn
of SIW antenna withwith
antenna and and
without lens lens
without at 26at
GHz.
26 GHz.
(a) E−plane.
(a) E−plane. H−plane.
(b) H−plane.
(a) E−plane. (b) H −plane.
InInorder
order toto
realize the dual polarization and maintain wide−band performance, a typ-
In order
ical In order
Vivaldi to realize
to realize
antenna that
the
thedual
the dual
realize provides
polarization
polarization
dual VP is
and and
polarization
designed and
on
maintain
maintainmaintain
the basis
wide−band
wide−band
wide
of the bandperformance,
performance,
−
existing
a typ-
performance,
H−plane
a typ-
horn a
ical Vivaldi
icaltypical
Vivaldi Vivaldi antenna
antenna that that
antenna provides
provides
that VP isVP
provides is designed
designed
VP is on the
designed onbasis
the
on basis ofexisting
of basis
the the the
of existing
the H−plane
H−plane
existing H horn
− horn
plane
antenna.
antenna. ByByadding
adding a aVivaldi
Vivaldi antenna,
antenna, the
thesize ofofthe
size thewhole antenna isishardly changed
antenna.
horn By adding
antenna. By aadding
Vivaldi antenna,
a Vivaldi the size
antenna, ofsize
the theof thewhole
whole antenna
antenna
whole is hardly
is hardly
antenna changed
changed
hardly changed
but
butobtains
obtains VP.
VP. The
The Vivaldi
Vivaldi antenna
antenna is fed
is fedbybya fan−shaped
a fan−shaped microstrip
microstrip line, as
line, shown
as shown inin
but but
obtains
obtains VP.VP.TheThe
Vivaldi antenna
Vivaldi antennais fed by by
is fed a fan−shaped
a fan−shaped microstrip
microstripline,line,
as shown
as shown in in
Figure
Figure 5, and radiates VP electromagnetic waves. After optimizing the size of the Vivaldi
Figure
Figure 5,5,and
5, and and radiates
radiates
radiates VP VP VPelectromagnetic
electromagnetic
electromagnetic waves.
waves.
waves. After After
After optimizing
optimizing
optimizing thesize
the the
size size ofthe
of
of the theVivaldi
Vivaldi
Vivaldi
antenna,
antenna, the parameters
theparameters
parameters of the
ofthe final
thefinalantenna
final antenna design
design are shown
areshown
shown in Table
inTable
Table 1. The simulated
antenna,
antenna, the the
parameters of
of the final antenna
antenna design
design are are
shown in
in Table 1.1.The
1. The The simulated
simulated
simulated
impedance matching of the Vivaldi antenna is shown in Figure 6, which has a simulated
−10 dB impedance bandwidth of 23.25% (21.10–26.65 GHz). The bandwidth basically
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 12

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impedance matching of the Vivaldi antenna is shown in Figure 6, which has a simulated
−10 dB impedance bandwidth of 23.25% (21.10–26.65 GHz). The bandwidth basically co-
covers
vers the the impedance
impedance bandwidth
bandwidth of thehorn
of the SIW SIWantenna.
horn antenna.
FigureFigure 7 shows
7 shows the simulated
the simulated
results
results of theofradiation
the radiation patterns
patterns of theofantenna
the antenna at 22.25
at 22.25 GHz, GHz,
wherewhere the peak
the peak gain
gain of theof the
Vivaldi antenna is
Vivaldi antenna is 8.0 dBi.8.0 dBi.
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FOR PEER
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impedance matching of the Vivaldi antenna is shown in Figure 6, which has a simulated
−10 dB impedance bandwidth of 23.25% (21.10–26.65 GHz). The bandwidth basically co-
vers the impedance bandwidth of the SIW horn antenna. Figure 7 shows the simulated
results of the radiation patterns of the antenna at 22.25 GHz, where the peak gain of the
Vivaldi antenna is 8.0 dBi.

(a) (b)
FigureFigure
5. Geometry of typical
5. Geometry Vivaldi
of typical antenna.
Vivaldi (a) Top(a)view.
antenna. (b) Bottom
Top view. view. view.
(b) Bottom

Table 1. Dimensions of the proposed antenna element (unit: mm).

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 L1 L2 L3
0.6 5 2.5 2.0 6.5 7.9 9.2 3.1 6.1
L4 L5 t1 t2 s R d1
(a) (b)d2 W
25.6 8 0.3 3 1.4 2.3 2.1 1 18
Figure
Figure 5.
5. Geometry
Geometry of
of typical
typical Vivaldi
Vivaldi antenna.
antenna. (a)
(a) Top
Top view.
view. (b)
(b) Bottom
Bottom view.
view.

Figure 6. Reflection coefficient of the Vivaldi antenna.

Figure
Figure6.6.
Figure Reflection
6.Reflection coefficient
Reflectioncoefficient of
coefficientof the
ofthe Vivaldi
theVivaldi antenna.
Vivaldiantenna.
antenna.

Figure 7. Radiation pattern of the Vivaldi antenna at 22.25 GHz.

Table 1. Dimensions of the proposed antenna element (unit: mm).

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6 L1 L2 L3
0.6 5 2.5 2.0 6.5 7.9 9.2 3.1 6.1
L4 L5 t1 t2 s R d1 d2 W
25.6 8 0.3 3 1.4 2.3 2.1 1 18
Figure
Figure 7.
7. Radiation
Radiation pattern
pattern of
of the
the Vivaldi
Vivaldi antenna
antenna at
at 22.25
22.25 GHz.
GHz.
Radiation pattern
Figure 7. Analysis
3. Parametric of The of the Vivaldi antenna at 22.25 GHz.
Antenna
3.Table 1.
1. Dimensions
Parametric
Table of
of the
Analysis
Dimensions ofproposed
the antenna
antenna element
The Antenna
proposed element (unit:
(unit: mm).
mm).

WIn11 this section,

W22 a parametric
W33 Wstudy
44
is W
performed
55 Wto66
clarifyL11the effect
L22 of someL33key
parameters
0.6 on 5an antenna’s
2.5 impedance
2.0 matching.
6.5 When
7.9 one parameter
9.2 of the antenna
3.1 6.1 is
L44 L55 t11 t22 s R d11 d22 W
25.6 8 0.3 3 1.4 2.3 2.1 1 18

3. Parametric Analysis of The Antenna

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In this section, a parametric study is performed to clarify the effect of some key pa-
In this section, a parametric study is performed to clarify the effect of some key pa-
rameters on an antenna’s impedance matching. When one parameter of the antenna is
rameters on an antenna’s impedance matching. When one parameter of the antenna is
changed, the
changed, the other parameters
parameters remain the the same. The The effects of of the radius
radius ofthethe Vivaldi
changed, the otherother parameters remain remain the same.same. The effects effects of the
the radius of of theVivaldi
Vivaldi
antenna fan−shaped
−shaped feed feed
feed R,R, the thickness of the upper substrate t 1, and the width of the
antenna
antennafan fan−shaped R, the
the thickness
thickness of of the
the upper substrate tt11,, and
upper substrate and the
the width
width ofofthe
the
hornantenna
horn antennaW W6 are
are analyzed.
analyzed. TheseThese three
threeparameters
parameters significantly
significantly affectaffectthe
theantenna’s
antenna’s
6
horn antenna W6 are analyzed. These three parameters significantly affect the antenna’s
impedancematching.
impedance matching.
impedance matching.
Asshown
shown inFigure Figure 8, withthe the increaseininfan fan−shaped
−shaped feed feed radius
radius R,the the impedance
As
As shownin in Figure8,8,withwith theincrease
increase in fan−shaped feed radius R, R, theimpedance
impedance
matching becomes
matching becomesworse worseat athigh
highfrequencies.
frequencies.The Theradius
radiusofofthethefanfan−shaped
− shaped structureisis
structure
matching becomes worse at high frequencies. The radius of the fan−shaped structure is
aboutaaquarter
about quarterwavelength
wavelengthof ofthethecenter
centerfrequency
frequencypoint pointofofthe
theantenna.
antenna.Therefore,
Therefore,with
with
about a quarter wavelength of the center frequency point of the antenna. Therefore, with
the increase in fan−shaped feed radius R, the operating band
the increase in fan−shaped feed radius R, the operating band of the antenna is shifted to of the antenna is shifted to
the increase in fan−shaped feed radius R, the operating band of the antenna is shifted to
the lower frequency, and the impedance matching at high
the lower frequency, and the impedance matching at high frequency becomes worse. In frequency becomes worse. In
the lower frequency, and the impedance matching at high frequency becomes worse. In
orderto
order torealize
realizethe thebest
bestperformance,
performance,the thefinal
finalfanfan−shaped
−shaped feed feed radius
radiusRRisisdetermined
determinedto to
order to realize the best performance, the final fan−shaped feed radius R is determined to
be2.3
be 2.3mm.mm. The
Thethickness
thickness tt11 also
also affects
affects thethe impedance
impedance matchingmatching of of the
theVivaldi
Vivaldiantenna
antenna
be 2.3 mm. The thickness t1 also affects the impedance matching of the Vivaldi antenna
and almost
and almost has no effect effect ononthethehorn
hornantenna.
antenna.The The reflection
reflectioncoefficient
coefficient of the Vivaldi
of the an-
Vivaldi
and almost has no effect on the horn antenna. The reflection coefficient of the Vivaldi an-
tenna asast1tvaries
antenna 1 varies is shown
is shown inin Figure
Figure 9.9.As
As the
the tt1 increases
increases from
from 0.2
0.2 mm to 0.4
0.4 mm,
mm, the
the
tenna as t1 varies is shown in Figure 9. As the t11 increases from 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, the
impedance matching of the antenna is improved at 22.5
impedance matching of the antenna is improved at 22.5 GHz but becomes worse at 21 GHzGHz but becomes worse at 21
impedance matching of the antenna is improved at 22.5 GHz but becomes worse at 21
GHz23.5
and andGHz.
23.5 GHz.
WhenWhen t1 is
t1 is 0.3 mm, 0.3 the
mm,Vivaldi
the Vivaldi
antenna antenna
has thehas theimpedance
best best impedance match-
matching at
GHz and 23.5 GHz. When t1 is 0.3 mm, the Vivaldi antenna has the best impedance match-
ingGHz,
26 at 26and
GHz, andpolarizations
both both polarizations obtainobtain
a wideabandwidth
wide bandwidth at bothatpolarizations.
both polarizations. The
The final
ing at 26 GHz, and both polarizations obtain a wide bandwidth at both polarizations. The
thickness of theof
final thickness Substrate 1 is determined
the Substrate 1 is determinedas 0.3 asmm. 0.3 mm.
final thickness of the Substrate 1 is determined as 0.3 mm.

Figure8.8.Reflection
Reflection coefficientof
of theVivaldi
Vivaldi antennawith
with respectto
to differentR.R.
Figure 8. Reflectioncoefficient
Figure coefficient ofthe
the Vivaldiantenna
antenna withrespect
respect todifferent
different R.

Figure 9. Reflection coefficient of the Vivaldi antenna with respect to different t1.
Figure9.9.Reflection
Figure Reflectioncoefficient
coefficientof
ofthe
theVivaldi
Vivaldiantenna
antennawith
withrespect
respectto
todifferent
differentt1t1. .
In order to obtain the widest operating band in the two polarizations, the width of
Inorder
In ordertotoobtain
obtainthethewidest
widest operating
operating band band in the
in the twotwo polarizations,
polarizations, the width
the width of
of the
the horn antenna W6 is analyzed. The reflection coefficient |S22| of the horn antenna varies
horn antenna
the horn W 6 is
antenna Wanalyzed. TheThe
6 is analyzed. reflection
reflection coefficient |S|S
coefficient 22 | ofofthe
22| thehorn
hornantenna
antennavaries
varies
with W6, while the reflection coefficient |S11| hardly changes. As shown in the Figure 10
withW
with W66,, while
whilethethereflection
reflectioncoefficient
coefficient|S|S1111|| hardly changes.
changes. As shown in in the
the Figure
Figure10 10
plot, the resonant frequency of the horn antenna shifts towards lower frequencies as W6
plot,
plot,the
theresonant
resonantfrequency
frequencyof ofthe
thehorn
hornantenna
antennashifts
shiftstowards
towardslowerlowerfrequencies
frequenciesas asW W66
increases from 7.7 mm to 8.1 mm. The resonant mode of the horn antenna is the TE10 mode.
increases
increasesfrom from7.7
7.7mm
mmto to8.1
8.1mm.
mm.TheTheresonant
resonantmode modeofofthe
thehorn
hornantenna theTE
antennaisisthe TE1010 mode.
mode.
By exciting the TE10 mode, HP is obtained. With W6 increases, the frequency
By
Byexciting
exciting TE10TE
the the mode, HP is obtained.
10 mode, With W 6 increases,
HP is obtained. With Wthe frequency corresponding
6 increases, the frequency
to the TE10 mode in the horn antenna decreases. Therefore, by changing W 6 , the impedance
matching of the horn antenna can be optimized independently. Finally, the width W 6 is

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627
W6, the impedance matching of the horn antenna can be optimized independently
the width W6 is determined to be 7.9 mm for the best impedance bandwidth. By an
the parameters of the proposed antenna, the best impedance matching can be o
quickly. It is helpful to get the best performance of the antenna. 8 of 12
8 of 12

corresponding to the TE10 mode in the horn antenna decreases. Therefore, by changing
W6, the impedance
determined tomatching
be 7.9 mmoffor
thethe
horn antenna
best can bebandwidth.
impedance optimized By
independently.
analyzing theFinally,
parameters
the width
of theWproposed
6 is determined to the
antenna, be 7.9
bestmm for the best
impedance impedance
matching bandwidth.
can be By analyzing
obtained quickly. It is helpful
the parameters of the
to get the best proposed antenna,
performance the best impedance matching can be obtained
of the antenna.
quickly. It is helpful to get the best performance of the antenna.

Figure 10. Reflection coefficient of the horn antenna with respect to different W6.

4. Results and Discussions

Figure The antenna
10. Reflection has the
coefficient dimensions
of the horn antennaof 39.7
with mmto×different
respect 18 mmW×6 . 3.3 mm. To verify the
Figure 10. Reflection coefficient of the horn antenna with respect to different W6.
mance of the proposed antenna, a prototype is fabricated and measured. The S−
4. Results and Discussions
ters and
4. Results of Discussions
the dual−polarized antenna are tested by an Agilent vector network a
The antenna has the dimensions of 39.7 mm × 18 mm × 3.3 mm. To verify the perfor-
E8363B,
mance
The and
of the
antenna the
proposed
has radiation
antenna, aof
the dimensions pattern
39.7 mmis
prototype measured
is×fabricated
18 mm × 3.3 inmeasured.
andmm. anToanechoic
The
verify the chamber.
parameters Due to
S−perfor-
mance equipment
of thethe
of dual
proposedlimitations,
−polarized a the
antenna
antenna, arepattern
tested
prototype is byisanonly tested
Agilent
fabricated andvectorfrom −90°
network
measured. to 90°.E8363B,
Theanalyzer
S−parame- Figure 11 sh
and the
ters offabricatedradiation pattern
prototype
the dual−polarized is measured
of theare
antenna in an anechoic
dual−polarized
tested by an Agilent chamber.
antenna. Due
vectorThe to the test
simulated
network equipment
and measured
analyzer
limitations, the patternpattern
is only tested from −90 ◦ to 90◦ . Figure 11 shows the fabricated proto-
E8363B, and the radiation is measured in an anechoic chamber.
of S−parameters are shown in Figure 12. The simulated reflection coefficients of Due to the test
equipment the dual−polarized
type oflimitations, antenna.
the pattern is only The simulated
tested and measured
from −90° results
to 90°. Figure S−parameters
11ofshows the
larizations
are shown are lower
in Figure than −10 dBreflection
in the range of 20.25–26.55 GHz (26.92%), w
fabricated prototype of the12. The simulated
dual−polarized antenna. The coefficients
simulated and of both polarizations
measured results are
measured
lower
of S−parametersthan − areones
10 shownare
dB in in20.04–25.5
the range of12.
Figure GHz
20.25–26.55
The (23.98). The simulated
GHz reflection
simulated (26.92%), while and
the measured
coefficients measured
of both ones are result
po-
reasonable
20.04–25.5 GHz agreement.
(23.98). The simulated and measured results have
larizations are lower than −10 dB in the range of 20.25–26.55 GHz (26.92%), while the a reasonable agreement.
measured ones are 20.04–25.5 GHz (23.98). The simulated and measured results have a
reasonable agreement.

Figure
FigureFigure 11.11. Fabricated
Fabricated
11. Fabricated prototype
prototype
prototype of theof of the
the proposed
proposed proposed
dual−polarized dual−polarized
dual−polarized antenna.
antenna. antenna.

(a) (b)

Figure 12. Simulated and measured S−parameters of the antenna. (a) Reflection coefficient. (b) Isolation.
(a) (b)
 Figure
Figure 12.
12. Simulated
Simulated and
and measured
measured S−parameters
S−parameters of
of the
the antenna.
antenna. (a)
(a) Reflection
Reflection coefficient.
coefficient. (b)
(b) Iso-
Iso-
lation.
lation.
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627 9 of 12

The
The measured
measured isolation
isolation between
between the the two
two ports
ports of of the
the antenna
antenna is is above
above 36 36 dBdB in
in the
the
operating band, indicating that the antenna has good isolation
operating band, indicating that the antenna has good isolation between the two polariza- between the two polariza-
tions. The measured isolation between the twoexcited,
ports of the antenna
antenna is above 36good dB in the op-
tions. When
When port port 11 of of the
the Vivaldi
Vivaldi antenna
antenna is is excited, the the antenna exhibits
exhibits good direction-
direction-
ality erating
at 22.5 band,
GHz, indicating
as that the antenna has good isolation between the two polarizations.
ality When
at 22.5port
GHz, as shown in Figure 13. The peak simulated gain of the Vivaldi antenna
shown in Figure 13. The peak simulated gain
1 of the Vivaldi antenna is excited, the antenna exhibits good directionality
of the Vivaldi antenna
is 8.2 dBi
is 8.2atdBi at
at 22.5
22.5 GHz,
GHz, while
while the
the measured
measured gain
gain is
is 7.0
7.0 dBi.
dBi. Both
Both simulated
simulated and
and measured
measured
22.5 GHz, as shown in Figure 13. The peak simulated gain of the Vivaldi antenna is
cross−polarizations
cross−polarizations
8.2 dBi at 22.5 GHz,
are lower
are while
lowerthe than
than −20
−20 dB.
measured
The
Theis maximum
dB.gain maximum
7.0 dBi. Both
radiation
radiation direction
simulateddirection
and measured
deviates
deviates
slightly
slightly
crossfrom
from the normal
the normalare
−polarizations direction
direction
lower than due
due−20 to the
to the asymmetry
asymmetry
dB. The maximum of the antenna.
of radiation
the antenna. When
When
direction port
port 22 of
deviates of
the horn
the horn antenna
antenna
slightly from the is excited,
is excited, the radiation
the radiation
normal direction pattern
due topattern of the antenna
of the antenna
the asymmetry is shown
is shown
of the antenna. Whenin Figure
in Figure 14.
port 2 of14. It
It
is
is shown that
the horn
shown the
the horn
thatantenna horn antenna
is excited,
antenna thehas the
the simulated
radiation
has pattern ofgain
simulated of
of 7.1
7.1 dBi
the antenna
gain and
and the
is shown
dBi measured
in Figure
the gain
14. It is
measured gain
of 5.2shown
of 5.2 dBi.
dBi. Thethatsimulated
The the horn antenna
simulated and has the simulated
and measured
measured gain of 7.1 are
cross−polarization
cross−polarization dBi and
boththe
are both lowermeasured
lower than
than −26gaindB.
−26 of As
dB. As
shown 5.2 dBi. The simulated and measured cross − polarization are both lower than − 26 dB. As
shown in in Figure
Figure 15, 15, thethe horn
horn antenna
antenna also also achieves
achieves the the maximum
maximum gain gain at at 22.5
22.5 GHz.
GHz. The The
shown in Figure 15, the
dual−polarized horn antenna also the
achieves theGHz maximum gain at 22.5polarizations.
GHz. The
dual−polarized antennaantenna has has aa stable
stable gain
gain inin the 20–23.5
20–23.5 GHz range range forfor both
both polarizations.
dual−polarized antenna has a stable gain in the 20–23.5 GHz range for both polarizations.
The
The difference
difference between
between simulation
simulation results and measurement results may be from the
the air
The difference between simulation results
results andandmeasurement
measurement results
results may may be frombethe
fromair gap air
gap between
gap between
between the
the
thetwotwo dielectric
twodielectric
dielectric substrates.
substrates.
substrates.
Since
Since
Since
the antenna
the antenna
the antenna
is combined
is combined
is combined with two
with
with two sub-
two sub-
substrate
strate layers
stratelayers
layers and
and connected
connected by
by screws,
screws, the
the air
air gap
gap will
will inevitably
inevitably appear.
appear.
and connected by screws, the air gap will inevitably appear. In addition, since the air In
In addition,
addition, since
since
the air
the air gap
gapgap between
between
between the twothe two
thedielectricdielectric
two dielectric substrates
substratessubstrates is not
is not theissame the same
not everywhere, everywhere,
the same everywhere,
this difference this
this differ-
differ-
is also
ence is
is also
also difficult
ence difficult to verifyto
difficult byverify
to by
simulation
verify by simulation
results.
simulation results.
results.

(a)
(a) (b)
(b)
Figure 13.
13. Simulated
Figure
Figure Simulated and
13. Simulated measured
andand measured
measured radiation
radiationpattern
radiation patternat
pattern at 22.5
at GHz
22.5 GHz
22.5 when
GHzwhen port
whenport
port 11 is
1 is is excited.
excited. (a) (a)
excited. (a) xOz
xOz xOz
plane for
planeplaneVP, (b)
for (b)
for VP, yOz
VP, yOz plane
(b) yOz for
plane
plane VP.
forfor
VP.VP.

(a)
(a) (b)
(b)
Figure
Figure 14.
14. Simulated
Figure Simulated and measured
andand
14. Simulated measured
measured radiation
radiationpattern
radiation patternat
pattern at 22.5
at 22.5 GHz when
GHzwhen
22.5 GHz port
whenport
port 22 is
2 is is excited.
(a) (a)
excited.
excited. (a) xOz
xOz xOz
plane for
planeplaneHP,
for HP, (b) yOz
(b) yOz
for HP, plane
plane
(b) yOz for HP.
forfor
plane HP.HP.

To
To illustrate
illustrate the
the advantages
advantages ofof the
the proposed
proposed dual−polarized
dual−polarized antenna
antenna in
in detail,
detail, the
the
performance
performance of of some
some existing
existing dual−polarized
dual−polarized antenna
antenna element
element and
and antenna
antenna array
array com-
com-
pared
pared with
with the
the proposed
proposed design
design is
is listed
listed in
in Table
Table 2.
2. With
With the
the exception
exception of
of ref.
ref. [27],
[27], the
the
proposed
proposed antenna
antenna has
has aa wider
wider overlapped
overlapped impedance
impedance bandwidth
bandwidth than
than other
other contrasting
contrasting

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627
arrays are listed in Table 2, which makes the comparison of gain unclear. The high
the proposed antenna can be seen from the comparison with ref. [20] and ref. [27
antenna owns high gain since it adopts a dielectric lens to enhance directivity. A
ally, the antenna is designed using SIW technology, which has the advantage
easy to integrate and having a low profile. Therefore, the proposed antenna
10 of 12 is a w

antenna with high gain and good isolation.

Figure
Figure 15.15. Fabricated
Fabricated prototype
prototype of the proposed
of the proposed dual−polarized
dual−polarized antenna. antenna.

To illustrate the advantages of the proposed dual−polarized antenna in detail, the per-
Table 2. Comparison with some previous dual−polarized antennas.
formance of some existing dual−polarized antenna element and antenna array compared
Reference Published Year with the proposed
Antenna Type design is listed
No. in Table 2. With
of Element the exception
Impedance of ref. [27], theGain/dBi
Bandwidth proposed Isola
antenna has a wider overlapped impedance bandwidth than other contrasting antennas.
[14] 2021 This isME−dipole 8 × 8 dual polarization,
thanks to the way one obtains 34.7–39.7 i.e.,GHz, 14.4% two wideband
by integrating 24.8
[18] 2022 antennas:SIWthe horn antenna and1the × 4Vivaldi antenna.
25.8–28.8 GHz,
It is also 11.0%
obvious 10.5has
that the antenna 3
[20] 2023 great isolation
Patch between two polarizations.
1 The high isolation of
24.4–28 GHz, 13.7% the antenna comes from
6 the
use of different feed structures at the two ports. However, some antenna arrays are listed
[27] 2021 Metasurface
in Table 1
2, which makes the comparison 7.66–11.33
of gain unclear. TheGHz, 38.65%
high 7.68
gain of the proposed
[28] 2017 AMC
antenna canplanar 1
be seen from the comparison with2.34–2.70
ref. [20] andGHz, 14.29%
ref. [27,28]. The antenna 7.8
owns
[29] 2018 high Slotted
gain sinceSIW
it adopts a dielectric
8 × 8lens to enhance directivity.
55.7–66.1 GHz,Additionally,
17.1% the antenna
22.3 3
is designed using SIW technology, which has the advantage of being easy to integrate and
[30] 2018 havingME−dipole
a low profile. Therefore, 1 the
× 8 proposed antenna
53.3–63.7 is a GHz,
wideband18%antenna with 16.1high
This work 2023 Horn
gain andandgoodVivaldi
isolation. 1 20.04–25.5 GHz, 23.97% 8.2
AMC: Artificial magnetic conductor.
Table 2. Comparison with some previous dual−polarized antennas.

5. Conclusions Impedance
Reference Published Year Antenna Type No. of Element Gain/dBi Isolation/dB
Bandwidth
In this paper, a low−profile dual−polarized antenna integrated with an SIW
[14] 2021 −dipole 8×8
tennaME and Vivaldi antenna 34.7–39.7 GHz, 14.4%
is proposed. 24.8
The dual−polarized 27
antenna uses an SI
[18] 2022 SIW 1×4 25.8–28.8 GHz, 11.0% 10.5 31.5
antenna to achieve VP, and HP is gained by a Vivaldi antenna integrated on the su
[20] 2023 Patch 1 24.4–28 GHz, 13.7% 6 15
the horn antenna. By integrating two common wideband antennas, the antenna
[27] 2021 Metasurface 1 7.66–11.33 GHz, 38.65% 7.68 35
wide impedance bandwidth while maintaining a simple configuration. The isola
[28] 2017 tween AMC two planar
ports of the 1antenna 2.34–2.70
is also GHz, 14.29% by 7.8
optimized a different 25
feeding struct
[29] 2018 Slotted SIW 8 × 8 55.7–66.1 GHz, 17.1% 22.3
proposed antenna achieves an overlapped impedance bandwidth of 23.97% from 34.7
[30] 2018 ME−dipole
25.5 GHz 1×8
for both polarizations. 53.3–63.7
The GHz, 18%
Vivaldi and SIW 16.1
horn antenna 45 achieve a ga
This work 2023 dBiHorn
andand 5.2Vivaldi
dBi at 22.5 1GHz, respectively.
20.04–25.5 GHz,The
23.97% 8.2 between 36
isolation the two ports
AMC: Artificial magnetic conductor.
than 36 dB in the operating band. The antenna can find potential applications in m
communication systems. In the future, the antenna can be utilized to form an
5. Conclusions
array, which can increase spectrum efficiency and further enhance the directivity
In this paper, a low−profile dual−polarized antenna integrated with an SIW horn
antenna and Vivaldi antenna is proposed. The dual−polarized antenna uses an SIW horn
Authorto
antenna Contributions:
achieve VP, andConceptualization, X.Y.; Methodology,
HP is gained by a Vivaldi X.Y. on
antenna integrated and Y.Y.;
the Project
surface of admin
J.L.horn
the (Jianxing Li)By
antenna. and J.H.; Software,
integrating X.Y. and
two common J.L. (Jianwu
wideband Li); Supervision,
antennas, J.L. (Jianxing
the antenna obtains
wide impedance bandwidth while maintaining a simple configuration. The isolation
between two ports of the antenna is also optimized by a different feeding structure. The
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 9627 11 of 12

proposed antenna achieves an overlapped impedance bandwidth of 23.97% from 20.04

to 25.5 GHz for both polarizations. The Vivaldi and SIW horn antenna achieve a gain of
8.2 dBi and 5.2 dBi at 22.5 GHz, respectively. The isolation between the two ports is better
than 36 dB in the operating band. The antenna can find potential applications in mm−wave
communication systems. In the future, the antenna can be utilized to form an antenna array,
which can increase spectrum efficiency and further enhance the directivity.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, X.Y.; Methodology, X.Y. and Y.Y.; Project administration,
J.L. (Jianxing Li) and J.H.; Software, X.Y. and J.L. (Jianwu Li); Supervision, J.L. (Jianxing Li), J.H., Y.Y.
and S.Y.; Writing—original draft, X.Y.; Writing—review & editing, J.L. (Jianxing Li), J.H., and J.L.
(Jianwu Li). All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This work was supported in part by the National Key R&D Program of China under Grant
2020YFB1806102, in part by the “Siyuan Scholar” Fellowship of XJTU, and in part by the Shaanxi
Province Innovation Capability Support Program under Grant 2023KJXX-130.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: All data are available from the corresponding author.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report regarding
the present study.

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