Design a Single Band Microstrip Patch Antenna at 60 GHz Millimeter Wave for 5G
Application
J. Saini and S. K. Agarwal, 2017
Work done: This paper presents the design of a single-band microstrip patch antenna
for 60 GHz millimeter-wave frequency, targeting 5G wireless applications. The
proposed antenna incorporates H and E slots on the radiating patch to enhance
impedance bandwidth. The design uses a Rogers RT5880 dielectric substrate with
relative permittivity of 2.2, loss tangent of 0.0009, and a height of 1.6 mm. A 50-
ohm microstrip line feeding mechanism is implemented for effective signal
transmission. Simulations were performed and results for return loss, voltage
standing wave ratio (VSWR), surface current distribution, and 3D radiation pattern
were analyzed.
Inference: The proposed antenna shows excellent performance at the 60 GHz
millimeter-wave frequency, achieving a return loss of -40.99 dB, which is
significantly better than the reference antenna (-37.5 dB). The design achieves an
impedance bandwidth of 4.028 GHz (from 57.981 GHz to 62.009 GHz), ensuring
efficient data transmission over a wide frequency range. The antenna has a gain of
5.48 dB with a total radiation efficiency of -2.423 dB. Though the gain is
moderate, it suffices for the intended short-range 5G applications. The comparison
with the reference antenna shows that the proposed antenna offers smaller size,
better return loss, and bandwidth, making it suitable for high-speed, short-range
wireless communication in future 5G networks
Compact Patch Antenna Array for 60 GHz Millimeter-Wave Broadband Applications
Ghattas, A.S.W., Saad, A.A.R. & Khaled, E.E.M., 2020
Work done: This paper presents the design of a compact patch antenna array for 60
GHz millimeter-wave broadband applications. The design comprises eight microstrip-
fed patch elements arranged in a 2 × 4 array configuration on a Rogers 5880
substrate. The antenna's performance is optimized using CST Microwave Studio. To
enhance gain and bandwidth, a unique feeding network with unequal power
distribution is implemented. Additionally, an electromagnetic band-gap (EBG)
reflector is placed below the array to reduce backward radiation and improve front-
to-back (F/B) ratio. The proposed antenna system achieves a wide impedance
bandwidth of 56.5 to 65.2 GHz with a gain variation of 12 to 16 dBi.
Inference: The antenna array effectively covers the 60 GHz unlicensed band with a
wide operational bandwidth and provides high gain (up to 16 dBi), making it ideal
for short-range, high-data-rate communications. By integrating the EBG reflector,
the design reduces backward radiation and maintains a compact size (17.5 × 22 ×
1.262 mm), which is advantageous for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM)
applications. The use of the EBG reflector improves radiation efficiency and offers
a stable gain across the entire operating frequency, demonstrating the antenna's
suitability for 60 GHz millimeter-wave broadband applications.
Ground Plane Dimensions:
Length (L_ground) and width (W_ground) of the ground plane affect the radiation
pattern and efficiency.
Feed Line Characteristics:
Impedance of the feed line (typically 50 ohms).
Type of feeding: Microstrip, coaxial, or proximity coupling.
Slot Dimensions (if slotted):
Size and position of slots (H-slot, E-slot, U-slot) used to enhance bandwidth or
impedance matching.
Resonant Frequency:
Determines the operating frequency based on the physical dimensions of the antenna.
Bandwidth:
Range of frequencies over which the antenna can operate efficiently (typically
defined by S11 < -10 dB).
Gain:
A measure of how well the antenna directs energy in a particular direction.
Radiation Pattern:
2D and 3D plots showing how the antenna radiates energy in different directions.
Return Loss (S11):
Reflection coefficient indicating how much power is reflected back into the source
due to impedance mismatch.
VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio):
Indicates the quality of impedance matching, typically should be less than 2.
Polarization:
Determines the orientation of the electric field (linear, circular, or elliptical
polarization).
Effective Aperture:
Area of the antenna that intercepts the energy from incoming signals.
Surface Current Distribution:
Provides insights into how the current flows on the patch, affecting radiation
efficiency and performance.
Antenna Efficiency:
Ratio of radiated power to input power, considering both radiation efficiency and
total efficiency (including losses).
Front-to-Back Ratio (F/B Ratio):
Ratio of the power radiated in the forward direction to that in the backward
direction.
Substrate Loss Tangent (tan δ):
Affects the dielectric losses within the substrate, impacting overall efficiency.
Antenna Height (H_sub):
The distance between the patch and the ground plane, critical for achieving the
desired resonant frequency.
By considering these parameters, you can optimize the antenna design for its
intended application, such as bandwidth, gain, and efficiency.
In addition to design frequency range, patch length (L_patch), patch width
(W_patch), substrate thickness (T_sub), and dielectric constant, several other
parameters are crucial for designing an antenna, especially for millimeter-wave
applications like 5G:
Impedance Matching:
Ensuring the antenna’s input impedance matches the transmission line (typically 50
ohms) is critical to minimize reflection losses. Parameters like slot shapes (H and
E slots) or impedance-matching techniques must be considered.
Return Loss (S11):
A lower return loss (below -10 dB) signifies better performance. The antenna should
achieve a high level of energy transfer without reflections back into the source.
VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio):
A good antenna design should aim for a VSWR close to 1, indicating optimal power
transfer from the transmission line to the antenna.
Bandwidth:
The range of frequencies over which the antenna operates efficiently. Factors like
patch size and the use of slots (H, E slots) can affect this.
Gain:
The antenna’s ability to focus energy in a specific direction. Higher gain is
crucial for applications like 5G, where efficient, high-directional energy transfer
is needed.
Radiation Pattern:
The shape of the field radiated by the antenna. This should align with the intended
application, e.g., omnidirectional for general use or directional for focused,
long-range applications.
Efficiency:
This refers to how well the antenna converts input power into radiated energy,
without losses in the form of heat or reflections.
Polarization:
Polarization of the radiated waves (linear, circular, or elliptical) should match
the system’s requirements. For instance, circular polarization is often used in
satellite and mobile communication to ensure consistent signal reception despite
device orientation changes.
Antenna Size:
Miniaturization is key for modern compact devices, but this needs to be balanced
with performance. Techniques like slot cuts (H and E) are often used to maintain
performance while reducing size.
Substrate Material:
The choice of substrate affects dielectric losses and, consequently, antenna
efficiency. Materials with low loss tangents are preferred for high-frequency
applications like 5G.
Feed Mechanism:
The type of feed (microstrip line, coaxial probe, etc.) influences the antenna's
performance, including bandwidth and impedance matching.
Considering all these parameters ensures a well-rounded antenna design that
performs optimally for the intended frequency and application, such as 5G or Wi-Fi
networks, commonly used in India’s expanding communication infrastructure.
