A Hybrid Approach for Finite-Size Fabry-Pérot Antenna Design With Fast and Accurate Estimation on Directivity and Aperture Efficiency

We present a simple hybrid approach for the design of finite-size Fabry-Pérot antennas (FPA) operated for broadside radiation. The model provides an accurate estimation on the directivity and aperture efficiency, and hence may obtain the optimal configuration of the partially reflective surface (PRS) and the antenna dimensions. The PRS properties are simulated by numerical tools. However, the overall FPA maximum directivity and the required dimensions are derived with a leaky-wave analysis and a Fourier transform method. The presented model was validated by the full-wave simulation on a classic FPA structure. Additionally, from design curves of the presented model, a PCB-based patch-patterned FPA is implemented and measured. The illustrated FPA prototype showed a realized gain of 20 dBi with an aperture efficiency of 65%. The model predictions were well consistent with the full-wave simulation and measured results.