Abstract
A hybrid technique is proposed to manipulate the feld distribution in a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) H-plane horn to enhance its radiation characteristics. The technique comprises two cascaded steps to govern the guided waves in the structure. The frst step is to correct the phase of felds and form a quasi-uniform distribution in the fare section so that the gain increases and sidelobe-level (SLL) decreases. This is obtained by loading the structure with a novel modulated metal-via lens. Field expansion on the radiating aperture of the SIW H-plane horn generates backward surface waves on both broad walls which increases the backlobe. In the second step, these backward surface waves are recycled and directed forward with the aid of holography theory. This is achieved by adding a couple of dielectric slabs with holographic-based patterns of metallic strips on both broad walls. With this step, the backlobe is reduced and the endfre gain is further increased. Using the proposed technique, the structure is designed and fabricated to operate at f = 30GHz which simultaneously improves the measured values of gain to 11.65 dBi, H-plane SLL to − 17.94 dB, and front-to-back ratio to 17.02 dB.