Fortify, a digital manufacturing company specializing in additive manufacturing (3D printing) of RF and microwave components, has collaborated with Nullspace to develop a cylindrical Gradient Index (GRIN) lens for a conical horn antenna. A GRIN lens is a structure whose material properties gradually vary across its body, allowing it to shape and focus radio wave beams with precision. The key challenge in developing such a lens lies in defining and validating its permittivity profile, which requires accurate electromagnetic modelling before fabrication.
To address this, Fortify used Nullspace’s electromagnetic simulation software to develop, iterate, and refine the lens design while evaluating antenna performance virtually. The finalized design was then fabricated using Fortify‘s additive manufacturing workflow, demonstrating a potential approach for developing compact, high-gain RF antenna systems, driven by simulation and advanced beam-shaping capabilities.
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