Two numerical techniques for analysis of pyramidal horn antennas with continuous metallic ridges

By inserting continuous metallic ridges inside a standard pyramidal horn antenna, along the waveguide feed and the horn flare, it is possible to design horns with extremely large operating bandwidths. There is a lack of information in the literature on the numerical analysis of pyramidal horn antennas with metallic ridges, in spite of their many applications. This paper presents two independent computational techniques for the analysis of ridged pyramidal horn antennas. The first technique is a combined analytical/numerical technique based on the modal analysis and mode-matching procedure. The second technique is a fully numerical technique based on the integral equation formulation and the method of moments as a solution procedure. Pyramidal horn antennas with exponential and pole double ridges are fabricated for the operation in a frequency range 2-6 GHz. A very precise and reliable experimental setup in a 35-foot anechoic chamber is used for radiation pattern measurements.