Passive Ultra-Wide Band Connected Array for AoA

A novel Ultra-Wide Band antenna is proposed to address the needs of this solicitation for a low profile passive antenna for Angle of Arrival (AoA) estimation. The antenna uses a connected array architecture to provide the very low frequency end of the band desired. The connected array links a multiplicity of nominally UWB elements together to instantiate a UWB response much wider than can be achieved by singular antenna elements. The specific connected element used is a Vivaldi Slot type element that has been computer optimized for ideal performance across the band. The array is made electrically thin both through the use of the partial directionality provided by the Vivaldi element, as well as by a novel Artificial Magnetic Conductor (AMC) instituted with a new UWB Artificial Dielectric. The combination of these features permits the array to operate without introducing any resistive termination as is often the case for other array designs. As such, this design provides lower loss for a stronger received signal. Additionally, the Vivalidi element is selected because it has a wider element gain pattern that supports a wider Field of View than flat planar antennas can support. These features make it ideal for AoA with MUSIC.