Conformal double exponentially tapered slot antennas (DETSA) for UWB communications systems' front-ends

This paper discusses the use of a double exponentially slot antenna (DETSA) fabricated on flexible liquid crystal polymer (LCP) as a candidate for ultra wide band (UWB) communications systems. The features of the antenna and the effect of the antenna on a transmitted pulse are investigated. Return loss and E and H plane radiation pattern measurements are presented. The return loss remains below -10 dB and the shape of the radiation pattern remains fairly constant in the whole UWB range (3.1-10.6 GHz). The main lobe characteristic of the radiation pattern remains stable even when the antenna is significantly conformed. The major effect of the conformation is an increase in the cross polarization component amplitude. The system: transmitter DETSA-channel-receiver DETSA is measured in frequency domain and shows that the antenna adds very little distortion on a transmitted pulse. The distortion remains small even when both transmitter and receiver antennas are folded, although it increases slightly.