A 60-GHz multilayer parasitic microstrip array antenna on LTCC substrate for system-on-package

This letter describes a compact and high-gain multilayer parasitic microstrip array antenna (MPMAA). The design and performance of the proposed array antenna are presented. The antenna employs three layers with a 2/spl times/2 parasitic array on each layer. The developed prototype MPMAA employs a multilayer low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate that is well suited to the assembly of MMIC chips. The fabricated MPMAA achieves a 7.17 dBi absolute gain at 60 GHz including the loss derived from the feeding parts and RF probe to measure its antenna performance. The spacing of the top layer of the parasitic array constructed by 2/spl times/2 elements has a free-space wavelength of 0.36 and the chip size is 10 mm/sup 2/. The fabricated MPMAA achieves both compact and high directional gain and satisfies the requirements for a millimeter-wave system-on-package (SOP).