A Closer Look at Horn Antennas

In a previous post, we introduced the history behind the horn antenna. In this post, we talk more about the horn antenna’s design, as well as what makes it so versatile.

Horn antennas are named for their horn-like shape and come in a variety of designs.

Although there are many different types of horn antenna, their basic structure is quite consistent across most designs. A horn antenna has three basic components: (1) a feed waveguide, which is the section where the signal is initially introduced, (2) a flare section, where the antenna gradually expands, and (3) an aperture, the open end of the flare where the electromagnetic waves exit.

The earliest version of the horn antenna dates back to the late 1800s.

Then, in 1938, American inventor Wilmer Lanier Barrow invented the first modern horn antenna, following his invention of the waveguide in 1936.

During World War II, the horn antenna gained significant popularity, due to several key factors that made it particularly suitable for the technological demands of the time.

Horn antennas offer a number of benefits.

Radar Technology. The development and deployment of radar technology during World War II was partially responsible for the horn antenna’s upsurge in popularity. Due to their ability to focus electromagnetic waves into a narrow beam, horn antennas were essential components in radar systems, improving the detection and tracking of enemy aircraft and ships.

High Gain and Directionality. Horn antennas provided high gain and directional control, which were crucial for radar systems to detect objects at long distances and with high precision. This capability was vital for early warning and targeting systems.

Broad Bandwidth. The wide bandwidth of horn antennas allowed them to operate effectively across various frequency ranges, making them versatile and adaptable to different radar applications and communication systems.

Robust and Reliable Design. Horn antennas are mechanically simple and robust, with no moving parts. This reliability was important in the harsh and demanding environments of wartime operations, where equipment needed to be durable and easy to maintain.

Low Loss and High Efficiency. The low insertion loss of horn antennas meant that they could efficiently transmit and receive signals, which was critical for maintaining strong and clear communication and radar signals.

Ease of Manufacture. The straightforward design of horn antennas made them relatively easy to manufacture with the materials and technology available at the time. This was an important consideration given the large-scale production demands during the war.

Versatility. Horn antennas were used in various applications, including ground-based radar installations, shipborne radar systems, and airborne radar units. Their versatility made them an ideal choice for the diverse needs of military operations.

Why are there so many design variations of a horn antenna?

The shape and size of the horn are determined based on the desired frequency range, gain, and beamwidth. Larger apertures typically provide higher gain and narrower beamwidth. Its dimensions are carefully calculated based on the operating frequency to ensure efficient radiation and impedance matching (reducing signal reflection and maximizing the power transferred to the electric load). Here are some popular examples: 

Sectoral Horn Antenna. Its design is similar to the pyramidal horn antenna, but its flare section expands in only one plane (either the E-plane or H-plane), while the other plane remains constant.

This design provides high directivity in one plane, making it useful for specific directional requirements. The sectoral horn is used in applications where asymmetric beam shaping is required.

Corrugated Horn Antenna. Similar to conical or pyramidal horns, but with corrugations (grooves) on the inner walls of the flare section, this design reduces sidelobes, improves impedance matching, and controls the radiation pattern more effectively.

Corrugated horns are typically used in high-performance applications such as satellite communication, radio astronomy, and millimeter-wave systems.

Although the modern horn antenna has been around for nearly a century, it won’t be going out of fashion anytime soon.

In conclusion, continual advancement in materials, computational methods, and manufacturing techniques ensures that modern horn antennas are highly efficient, reliable, and suitable for a wide range of demanding applications. JEM Engineering has decades of experience designing and testing horn antennas for various applications