Modified analysis and design of waveguide horns

A modified analysis of standard waveguide horns is presented which accurately accounts for the aperture phase error. It is demonstrated that standard analysis techniques fail to produce the correct gain, particularly in the presence of low-to-medium-gain horns. Optimum dimensions are presented for conical and various pyramidal horns. It is found that, if a comparison is made on the basis of the actual horn length, standard and improved synthesis techniques are near-optimum. Previous claims of almost constantly higher gains, even for high-gain designs, cannot be substantiated.