Reliability-Aware Optimization of a Wideband Antenna

A framework for optimization of wideband antennas including statistical reliability considerations is proposed. Using predetermined tolerances of the manufacturing process, the reliability analysis provides a failure probability of the considered antenna according to imposed specifications. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is conducted in order to quantify the relative weight of the antenna's parameters on the variability of vertical bar S-11 vertical bar. On this basis, a reliability-aware definition of optimization parameters can be derived to minimize failure probability during fabrication. For demonstration, a particular type of antenna, namely the tapered half-mode substrate-integrated waveguide (HMSIW) leaky-wave antenna, is chosen for the reliability analysis and optimization. This antenna is optimized for operation in the band from 7 to 14 GHz (with specification vertical bar S-11 vertical bar < -10 dB) with a calculated failure probability of less than 1%. A fabrication of the designed prototype yields measurements showing a strict adherence to specifications, which exemplifies the relevance of the statistical analysis. The study can be generalized to any wideband antenna provided that a fast computation of cost function can be obtained.