Features of the manufacturing process of flat spiral antennas with additional deceleration

Background. The work is aimed at the development and research of technological processes and production operations for the manufacture of printed antennas. A special case of such antennas is a flat spiral antenna with additional deceleration in the form of a dielectric or metal-dielectric plate. Aim. The paper analyzes the distinctive features of the manufacturing processes of flat spiral antennas with additional deceleration. A number of «bottlenecks» in production operations are identified, related to the specifics of the basic materials and basic industrial technologies used. Methods. The research is based on a practice-oriented comparison of technological processes for manufacturing flat spiral antennas with additional deceleration with various design solutions of the decelerating structure: planar dielectric plate, planar metal-dielectric plate with metallized holes, planar metal-dielectric plate with metal pins. The basic technologies used are the combined positive method of PCB production, the technology of pressing multilayer printed circuit boards, the technology of assembly and electrical installation of microwave devices. Results. Design options for planar deceleration plates and the corresponding technological processes of their production are proposed, their key differences are identified: manufacturability, degree of automation, duration. Conclusion. From a practical point of view, it is shown that the design of the dielectric retarding plate is the most technologically advanced and commercially suitable for mass production, which is confirmed by the manufactured samples. If it is necessary to integrate additional retarding elements into the design of the PO, the option with metallized holes is more technologically advanced.