Extruded slot antenna array and method of manufacture

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an extruded slot antenna array includes extruding a slot antenna body, the slot antenna including a first major surface, a second major surface, first and second external side walls, and one or more longitudinally extending internal waveguide walls disposed between the first and second major surfaces. Each of the internal waveguide walls forms a respective two or more open-ended waveguides, each open-ended waveguide having a first open end and a second open end. An array of slots is cut on the first major surface of the slot antenna body, the array of slots being arranged in a plurality of rows, one row of slots being formed along a longitudinal line of a respective open-ended waveguide. Next, a row of slots are subsequently cut on the second major surface of the extruded slot antenna body, the row of slots formed substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the open-ended waveguides, one of the slots being formed on each of the open-ended waveguides. Next, end caps are attached to the first and second open-ends of each of the open-ended waveguides.