Laser micro-machined 28 GHz broad band single feed microstrip antenna for 5G mm-wave applications

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to propose a laser micro-machined 4 × 4 elements microstrip array antenna suitable for 5 G millimeter wave (mm-wave) applications. Each patch element of the array is excited with same amplitude and phase that is achieved with proper novel impedance matching stub. The proposed antenna achieves a simulated gain of 13.15 dBi and a measured return loss of −24.80 dB at 28.73 GHz with a total bandwidth of 7.48 GHz. The designed antenna is directional with a directivity of 15.1 dBi at 28.73 GHz, whereas fabricated on a low cost FR4 substrate with a substrate thickness of 0.074 λ mm. The antenna is realized with an aperture size of 2.24λ × 3.26λ. Design/methodology/approach The antenna structure starts from the design of single element called unit cell. The single element is designed using the transmission line model equations of a rectangular patch. To design a 28 GHz microstrip patch antenna, a dielectric material with lower permittivity and having thickness (h) less than 1 mm is required. This specification gives better gain and efficiency by reducing surface waves and mutual coupling between elements. The inset width is optimized to achieve the minimum reflection coefficient (S11). The single element has been arranged with a minimum spacing of λ/2 (5.3571 mm) in an H plane and E plane. It is connected using the microstrip lines with proper impedance matching. The four 2 × 2-sub array cell subsystems are connected with a corporate feed together formed the 4 × 4-array cell. Rectangular planar array method is used to arrange the elements in the 4 × 4 array cell. Findings The design concept is simple which includes the combination of corporate feed and insect feed. It is compact in size and easy to fabricate. The bandwidth of fabricated prototype antenna array is achieved as 7.48 GHz from 24.98 GHz to 32.46 GHz. The mutual coupling is very less though the antenna array is placed with minimum spacing between adjacent elements. This is because of the microstrip feeding structure with minimum phase shift. The gain can be further enhanced with increasing number of array element and proper designing of feed line. Owing to the advantages of low profile, wide bandwidth and high gain, the designed array will be potentially useful in 5 G wireless communications. Originality/value The measured antenna offers bandwidth 7.48 GHz (24.98 GHz-32.46 GHz) with centered frequency 28.73 GHz. The agreement between simulated and measured results is good. The VSWR is observed 0.32 < 2, offers good impedance matching and low mutual coupling. It gives better E-Field and H-field radiation patterns of the 4 × 4 array antenna structure at 28 GHz. The total gain of 13.14 dBi is achieved at the center frequency. The total efficiency of 63.42 per cent is achieved with FR4 substrate.