A Low Cost, Wideband, High Gain Antenna Array For Millimeter Wave Band

A single layer, low profile, wideband and high gain antenna array for the Millimeter Wave (MMW) applications is presented in this paper. Two configurations of arrays (array-1 and array-2) are designed and compared. 1 × 4 and 2 × 4 elements-based array-1 and array-2 respectively, are fed by a simple microstrip feedline which ensures low fabrication cost and simple fabrication process. Array-1 achieves a bandwidth of 10 GHz with a peak gain of 9.9 dBi while Array-2 attains a bandwidth of 17.2 GHz with a peak gain of 11.7 dBi. Further to enhance peak gain, a parasitic metallic strip is employed above the elements of array-2. An improved peak gain of 12.89 dBi is achieved at 42 GHz with a bandwidth of 17.5 GHz ranging from 37.3-54.8 GHz. Various parameters such as bandwidth, gain, radiation efficiency, radiation patterns (both E-field and H-field) and VSWR are analyzed and compared for all the proposed configurations. A VSWR of less than 2 is achieved over the entire operational bandwidth which ensures good impedance matching. The antenna array is designed and simulated using Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST MWS).