Lens antenna design tool based on generalized superformula: preliminary results

In this work, a user-friendly electromagnetic tool for analysis and synthesis of a novel class of 3-D dielectric lens antennas is presented. The lens antenna shape is modeled using a generalized superformula allowing additional degree of freedom. Thanks to the free parameters characterizing this formula, the lens geometry can be adjusted in a simple and analytical way. The electromagnetic tool is based on the geometrical optics and tube tracing approximations as well as the physical optic approach. In this way, the multiple wave reflections within the lens region as well as the far field outside the lens can be calculated. Moreover, an efficient synthesis procedure based on swarm intelligence has been developed and integrated in the numerical code. Thanks to this design tool it is possible to identify the lens parameters yielding the optimal antenna characteristic and a desired radiation patterns with low computational burden.