A 2×2 wideband and high-gain Ka- band LTCC patch antenna array using aritificial magnetic conductor structures

The artificial magnetic conductor structures (AMCs) is proposed to enhance the bandwidth and gain of a millimeter-wave (mmW) patch antenna. A multi-layer laminated waveguide (LWG) low-loss array feeding network and the multi-layer T-type divider are specially analyzed and designed. The overall structure of an mmW antenna array using AMCs is designed in low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) process in which the feeding network and compact transition between LWG and rectangle waveguide (RWG) are integrated. The simulated bandwidth of the 2×2 array is 11.43% which is much larger than that of the reference array on PEC plane. The maximum gain can reach 12.9 dBi while the stable radiation pattern can be observed also.

[1]  H. Uchimura,et al.  Development of the "laminated waveguide" , 1998, 1998 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (Cat. No.98CH36192).

[2]  Da-Gang Fang,et al.  An integrated LTCC millimeter-wave planar array antenna with low-loss feeding network , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[3]  L. Shafai,et al.  Application of combined electric- and magnetic-conductor ground planes for antenna performance enhancement , 2008, Canadian Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

[4]  Y. Rahmat-Samii,et al.  Reflection phase characterizations of the EBG ground plane for low profile wire antenna applications , 2003 .

[5]  D. Sievenpiper,et al.  High-impedance electromagnetic surfaces with a forbidden frequency band , 1999 .

[6]  Zhi Ning Chen,et al.  Gain-Enhanced 60-GHz LTCC Antenna Array With Open Air Cavities , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[7]  S. Best,et al.  Design of a broadband dipole in close proximity to an EBG ground plane , 2008, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine.

[8]  R.R. Tummala,et al.  The SOP for miniaturized, mixed-signal computing, communication, and consumer systems of the next decade , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Advanced Packaging.

[9]  Zhi Ning Chen,et al.  Bandwidth Enhancement for a 60 GHz Substrate Integrated Waveguide Fed Cavity Array Antenna on LTCC , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[10]  Xin Wang,et al.  A 79-GHz LTCC laminated waveguide to metallic rectangular waveguide transition using high permittivity material , 2010, The 40th European Microwave Conference.

[11]  A. Lamminen,et al.  60-GHz Patch Antennas and Arrays on LTCC With Embedded-Cavity Substrates , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[12]  Zhi Ning Chen,et al.  Wideband Millimeter-Wave Substrate Integrated Waveguide Slotted Narrow-Wall Fed Cavity Antennas , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

[13]  Ke Wu,et al.  Guided-wave and leakage characteristics of substrate integrated waveguide , 2005, IMS 2005.

[14]  M. Ali,et al.  Effects of EBG reflection phase profiles on the input impedance and bandwidth of ultrathin directional dipoles , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.