Design and realization of a novel nonplanar dual-polarized log-periodic dipole array for 1-13 GHz

A feasible and low cost approach to implement a nonplanar dual-polarized log-periodic dipole array antenna using printed circuit board (PCB) technology is proposed. The proposed antenna utilizes a very short transition from a coaxial cable to a balanced twin-lead transmission line to realize an ultrawide bandwidth balun, and has two distinct scaling factor values for high and low frequency elements. A prototype of the antenna operating over the frequency range of 1–13 GHz was designed, fabricated, and tested. An average gain of 7 dBi is obtained. Measured VSWR, cross-polarization and front-to-back ratio are better than 2.6, −16 dB, and 22 dB, respectively.