Ray-Tracing Model for the Design and Efficiency Calculation of a Monolithic Geodesic Lens Array Antenna

We propose the use of a generalized ray-tracing model to design geodesic lens array antennas. This model is capable of computing the radiation patterns and taking into account losses due to finite conductivity and surface roughness, which are essential when producing prototypes as single monolithic pieces. The ray-tracing model is used to design a modified Rinehart-Luneburg lens that shows very good agreement with simulations while significantly decreasing computation time. The profile of the lens is designed in such a way that it can be vertically stacked in an array and produced as a single piece. The lens array antenna is manufactured as a single monolithic piece using the laser powder-bed fusion technique. The tests of this prototype validate the use of additive manufacturing for geodesic lens antennas operating in V-band.