Analytical approach for calculation of aperture efficiency enhancement of horn antennas using a thin metal cylinder

This study aims to increase horn antenna gain and aperture efficiency in a way that are compatible with aperture electric field distribution similar to TE10 rectangular waveguide mode using analytical calculation method. The proposed analytical approach can be useful to calculate the performance of a horn antenna design with thin (r <<lambda) perfect electric conductor (PEC) cylinder placed on the antenna aperture dividing H-plane. In the analytical solution, the aperture field distribution is obtained by solving the electromagnetic scattering from an infinitely long cylinder placed in front of the aperture. This structure not only improves the aperture electric field amplitude distribution but also corrects phase errors in the horn antenna. An X-band pyramid horn antenna is manufactured by using three-dimensional (3-D) printer and coated with aluminum tape. The measurement results of the 3-D printed antenna are also compared with the simulation results. The antenna gain is measured with and without the PEC cylinder on the aperture. It is found that, the antenna gain is increased by 1 dB. The results of the proposed analytical calculation method are compared with the simulation and measurement results and justified.