Modify a dual ridge horn antenna for drone jamming applications

Abstract

In the last decade, the number of drones has been increasing and becoming cheaper relative to the damage they can cause, threatening airports, transportation, and military applications. Jamming on drones is becoming more and more significant. Handheld anti-drone jammer antennas require high-gain directivity beam patterns with narrow half-power beam widths (HPBW) while also covering multiple frequency bands that are used by drones. This work has modified the proposed multiband gain and enhanced the narrow beam utilized by the Dual Ridge Horn Antenna (DRHA) to meet the requirements of drone jamming systems. The proposed antenna can cover GPS $L_1$, 2.45 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. This work presents a DRHA developed utilizing CST Studio and optimized by using genetic algorithm optimization (GA) that has been employed to improve parameters that enhance selected frequencies. One of the standout features of this design is the incorporation of a dielectric microwave lens, which significantly improved the antenna factor This lens has been inventively crafted using three dielectric constant, ${\varepsilon }_r$ 2.1, 4, and 4.2 at three different diameters 11 cm, 7 cm and 4 cm as well as different thickness 0.9 cm, 1.3 cm and 1.5 cm, respectively. According to impressive simulations the reflection coefficient has been improved from $-12.13$ dB to an incredible $-19.7$ dB at 2.45 GHz. Regarding to the Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) outcomes the practical design improved from $-8.25$ dB to $-18.8$ dB which reflecting a remarkable enhancement of 43.88% after integrating the dielectric lens. The final dimensions of the fabricated antenna, including the feed section, have been defined as (3.65$\lambda$ $\times 2\lambda$ $\times 2\lambda$), aligning excellently with relevant works. Finally, the practical design is an agreement match with simulation results, and the measured peak gain is 7.92 dB at 1.575 GHz, 10.9 dB at 2.45 GHz and 15 dB at 5.8 GHz. The proposed antenna would be suitable for use in a portable handheld jamming system on drones.