End-launch wide-bandwidth metallic notch antenna element

A new wide-bandwidth metallic end-launch notch antenna, loaded with a low loss dielectric material, has been developed for use as an element in an active array. The design of the element includes the design of the wide-bandwidth end-launch to achieve feeding from the rear of the array. It also includes the design of a two-dimensional taper, with the loading dielectric material at the element aperture, to achieve good transmission line transformer from the feeding point to the aperture. The measured SWR for the end-launch transition is better than 12 dB, the overall notch antenna element SWR is better than 9 dB, and the gain is 5.3 dBi. The measured radiation pattern at the center frequency is also presented.