Modulated elliptical slot antenna for electric field mapping and microwave imaging

Mohamed A. Abou-Khousa, Mohammad Tayeb Ghasr, Sergey Kharkovsky, David Pommerenke, Reza Zoughi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number5677573
Pages (from-to)733-741
Number of pages9
JournalIEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
Volume59
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electric field measurement
  • elliptical slot
  • loaded slot
  • microwave imaging
  • modulated scatterer technique (MST)
  • modulation-depth
  • PIN diode
  • real-time imaging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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