Higher-Order Characteristic Modes-Based Broad-Beam Dielectric Resonator Antenna

A dielectic resonator antenna (DRA) with simple configurations but an ultrabroad beam is proposed by combining the characteristic modes (CMs) from the dielectric block and ground. To accurately identify these CMs, an effective design methodology based on the surface integral equation-based substructure characteristic mode analysis is developed. Compared to the traditional CM-based DRA design approach, this new method provides much more useful modal information by eliminating spurious modes and mode mixing. The wide-beam DRA is then designed by selecting a set of higher-order CMs with complementary radiated beams and adjacent resonant frequencies. The results from full-wave simulation and measurement are also displayed. Good consistency is observed.