Broadband Feed for Low Cross-Polarization Uniplanar Tapered Slot Antennas on Low-Permittivity Substrate

Abstract

A broadband feeding technique for the uniplanar tapered slot antenna (TSA) is presented. The TSA operates at a center frequency of 6.5 GHz with a 7 GHz bandwidth (107 percent). The antenna and feed are realized with a broadband microstrip-to-slotline transition on a low permittivity high frequency substrate, Rogers RT/Duroid 5880. The input impedance of the system is designed for 50 Ω compatibility with other system components, and the cross polarization is kept below –30 dB. The developed TSA system was simulated with commercially available electromagnetic software and manufactured. Measured results validate the design process and the antenna’s performance.