DEVELOPMENT OF MICROWAVE PYRAMIDAL HORN ANTENNA BY ELECTROFORMING METHOD

Abstract

Horn antennas are the most popular microwave antennas and are used for high power handling. Development of mechanical hardware for microwave frequency ridged horn antennas demand extremely close dimensional tolerances and surface finish that must be controlled on internal dimensions and on surfaces of intricate shapes to meet the electrical requirements. Microwave pyramidal horn antenna having narrow size at waveguide transition portion with tapered ridges posses challenges in development of antenna by conventional manufacturing method. Manufacturing by milling and welding methods have limitation in realization of pyramidal horn antennas in terms of achieving dimensional tolerances and surface finishes. Electroforming is a best suitable method to develop thin walled, complex internal shaped pyramidal horn antennas. This paper describes developmental aspects of thin walled microwave frequency ridged horn antennas by electroforming method. The pyramidal horn antennas were manufactured using conventional and electro-forming methods and were subjected to electrical performance test to investigate the performance enhancement