Modulated Elliptical Slot Antenna for Electric Field Mapping and Microwave Imaging

Abstract

Microwave and millimeter wave imaging has shown significant potential in various applications. An imaging system commonly consists of a sensitive electric field mapping array devised to measure the spatial distribution of the scattered field from an object to be imaged. One of the most prominent methods used to realize a cost-effective real-time imaging system is the modulated scatterer technique (MST). Although the conventional MST, using small loaded dipole antennas, performs well at lower microwave frequencies, its utility at high microwave and millimeter wave frequencies is limited. To improve upon the conventional MST, a novel modulated elliptical slot antenna, loaded with a PIN diode, is introduced and analyzed in this paper. The modulation-depth (effectiveness in modulating the slot), current distribution around the slot, and the influence of PIN diode bias structure are discussed based on numerical simulation results and experiments. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed slot for electric field measurements at 24 GHz is demonstrated using a prototype slot.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Electric Field Measurement; Elliptical Slot; Loaded Slot; Microwave Imaging; Modulated Scatterer Technique (MST); Modulation-Depth; PIN Diode; Real-Time Imaging; Antenna Arrays; Computer Simulation; Dipole Antennas; Directional Patterns (Antenna); Imaging Systems; Millimeter Wave Devices; Millimeter Waves; Semiconductor Diodes; Slot Antennas; Spatial Distribution

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0018-926X

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Mar 2011

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