Hybrid array for wideband millimeter-wave applications

A hybrid array configuration based on circular waveguide radiators electromagnetically coupled to a stripline distribution network is proposed in this work. Manufacturing advantages of microstrip feed networks are combined with efficiency performances of waveguides to obtain a wideband structure suitable for millimeter-wave applications. Furthermore, loss mechanisms are strictly reduced with respect to similar configurations existing in literature, due to the absence of transition components. An X-band prototype is fully designed, realized and experimentally tested to show a wide radiation bandwidth. Simulated performances of a 60 GHz array are also discussed.