Thin metal vivaldi antenna systems

9An antenna system comprising:

• a first Vivaldi antenna element positioned in a first plane, the first Vivaldi antenna element including first and second radiating elements and a first slot disposed between the first and second radiating elements;
• a first signal feed electrically coupled across the first slot at a first location;
• and
• a first conductive strip positioned in a second plane offset from and parallel to the first plane,
• wherein the first conductive strip is positioned in the second plane such that the first conductive strip runs parallel to the first slot, and
• wherein the first Vivaldi antenna element includes a cutout region, wherein the first location is located between the cutout region and a second location spanning respective distal ends of the first and second radiating elements, and wherein the first conductive strip extends in the second plane from a third location aligned with a portion of the cutout region to a fourth location, wherein the fourth location is located between the first location and the second location or is proximate to the second location.

An antenna system comprising:

• a first Vivaldi antenna element positioned in a first plane, the first Vivaldi antenna element including first and second radiating elements and a first slot disposed between the first and second radiating elements;
• a first signal feed electrically coupled across the first slot at a first location;
• a first conductive strip positioned in a second plane offset from and parallel to the first plane;
• a second Vivaldi antenna element positioned in a third plane including third and fourth radiating elements and a second slot disposed between the third and fourth radiating elements;
• a second signal feed electrically coupled across the second slot at a second location;
• a second conductive strip positioned in a fourth plane offset from and parallel to the third plane,
• a first non-conductive support disposed between the first plane and the second plane;
• and
• a second non-conductive support disposed between the third plane and the fourth plane,
• wherein the third plane and fourth plane are perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane,
• wherein the first conductive strip is positioned in the second plane such that the first conductive strip runs parallel to the first slot,
• wherein the second conductive strip is positioned in the fourth plane such that a the second conductive strip runs parallel to the second slot,
• wherein the first Vivaldi antenna element is coupled to one side of the first non-conductive support and the first conductive strip is coupled to an opposing side of the first non-conductive support,
• wherein the second Vivaldi antenna element is coupled to one side of the second non-conductive support and the first conductive strip is coupled to an opposing side of the second non-conductive support,
• wherein the first non-conductive support includes a first plurality of through holes and a first notch configured to receive a portion of the second non-conductive support,
• wherein the second non-conductive support includes a second plurality of through holes and a second notch configured to receive a portion of the first non-conductive support,
• wherein the first signal feed includes a portion positioned in the second plane, coupled to a same side of the first non-conductive support as the first conductive strip, and coupled to the first Vivaldi antenna element through one or more of the first plurality of through holes,
• wherein the second signal feed includes a portion positioned in the fourth plane, coupled to a same side of the second non-conductive support as the second conductive strip, and coupled to the second Vivaldi antenna element through one or more of the second plurality of through holes.