A 2 × 2 wideband circularly polarized (CP) antenna array operating at millimeter wave (mmWave) band is presented. The array element is a wideband CP Archimedean spiral radiator with special-shaped ring slot. The elements are fed by an unequal amplitude (UA) feeding network based on a microstrip line (MSL) power divider. The side lobe level is improved by this UA feeding network. In addition, a cross slot is employed to isolate the elements for decoupling. A prototype is fabricated, and the measured results show that the proposed array achieves an impedance bandwidth (IBW) of 6.31 GHz (22.5% referring to 28 GHz) and an axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 7.32 GHz (26.1% referring to 28 GHz). The peak gain of the proposed array is 11.3 dBic, and the gain is greater than 9.3 dBic within the whole desired band (from 25 GHz to 31 GHz). The proposed array consists of only one substrate layer and can be built by the conventional printed circuit board technology. Attributed to the characteristics of wide bandwidth, simple structure, low profile, and low cost, the proposed antenna array has a great potential in mmWave wireless communications.
A circularly polarized broadband low-cost reflectarray in Ku-band is presented using a novel single-layer subwavelength phase-shifting element. The proposed subwavelength element consists of the concentric split ring and the crossed bowtie. The linear reflected phase response curve with 360° phase coverage is obtained. For experimental verification, an array of 25 × 25 reflectarray prototype has been designed and manufactured by employing the angular rotation technique. The measurements are in good agreement with the simulations. The measured gain at the center frequency of 12.5 GHz is 26.6 dBi, corresponding to the aperture efficiency of 52.5%, and the 1 dB gain bandwidth is 26.4%.
A single-layer ±45° dual-polarized directional array antenna for millimeter wave (mm-wave) applications is designed in this communication. Based on the theory of orthogonal circularly polarized (CP) wave multiplexing, two ports of a series-fed dual CP array are fed with equal amplitudes, and the array can radiate a linearly polarized wave with ±45° polarization orientations through the adjustment of the feeding phase difference. As the two ports of the series-fed array are simultaneously excited, the antenna can achieve directional radiation. In addition, the cross-polarization level of the array can be effectively suppressed by placing two series-fed arrays side by side. A prototype of the designed array antenna operating at 30 GHz is fabricated and measured; the working bandwidth of the proposed antenna is approximately 3.5%. Owing to its simple structure and directional radiation, the proposed antenna array is a competitive candidate for mm-wave applications.
To fulfill the dual-frequency requirements, elements are needed to resonate at two different, independently adjustably frequencies. A low weight, low cost, and easy to fabricate single-layer dual-frequency reflectarray is designed, fabricated, and measured, with gain values of 27 and 29.2 dBi at 20 and 30 GHz, respectively.
Low-Cost and High-Gain SIW Circularly Polarized Circular-Horn-Loaded Antenna for Broadband Millimeter-Wave Applications