ULTRA-WIDEBAND, MULTI-MODE, LOW-PROFILE, ENDFED ANTENNA

A low profile, broadband radiator operates as a dielectric rod antenna (DRA) but is conformally mounted to a conducting sheet along its axis of symmetry. The new device exploits the imaging theory of electromagnetics to split the DRA in half while maintaining its full-height TEM feed, HE11 waveguide, and radiation taper characteristics. The disclosed device is attractive for applications requiring directed energy on or near the axis of the antenna, i.e. 'end-fire', and for high shock and velocity environments. Bandwidth extension is realized by adding one or more cores of higher dielectric material and by modifying the feed and mode formation regions. A second polarization is generated by configuring the feed for odd-mode transmission and creating a flared notch radiator within a metallized split launcher.