A 16 x 16-Element Slot Array Fed by Double-Layered Gap Waveguide Distribution Network at 160 GHz

In this article, a slot array with double-layered full-corporate-fed distribution network by ridge gap waveguide (RGW) in the G-band is presented. The array antenna proposed in this article contains 16 x 16-element radiation slots fed by air-filled ridge gap waveguide distribution network that achieves high-efficiency. Gap waveguide technology avoids the demand for perfect electrical contact in millimeter waves, therefore the expensive diffusion bonding and the laser welding processes are not demanded. Moreover, the high-accurate Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machining is applied for the fabrication. Due to the limited layout space for the distribution network, two types of universal stepped cavity power dividers are presented in this article. The proposed array antenna is fed by a standard WR-5 waveguide at the bottom. Furthermore, the tested outcomes show that the proposed 16 x 16-element array has a gain larger than 30 dBi with over 50% antenna efficiency in the frequency range of 155-171 GHz.