Planar Lens Antenna for High Data Rate Applications

A low-profile lens antenna formed by 2 metallic rings with strips short-circuiting both rings is presented. The theory of characteristic modes is used to facilitate the design, optimization, and analysis of the structure. Simulations and measurements are presented for the optimized single-layer metallic lens antenna. Measured results show a large operating bandwidth (14.7% relative -14 dB impedance bandwidth) with a maximum directivity above 13.70 dBi and a return loss better than 14 dB.