Compact Wide-Scan Dual-Polarized Dielectric Resonator Antenna Array Based on LTCC Technology for Millimeter-Wave Applications

A compact dual-polarized (DP) dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for two dimensional (2D) wide-angle scanning phased arrays operating at 28 GHz is presented. The proposed design is based on low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology by virtue of the benefits in terms of scalability at millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies. The developed DRA element integrates two stacked cylindrical dielectric resonators (DRs) surrounded by a metal frame and is fed through a cross-shaped slot. An annular cavity separates the stacked DRs from the metal frame near the antenna aperture to enhance the active impedance-matching to air. The DRA element is analyzed in the infinite array environment and is characterized using an 8 × 8 array architecture consisting of 2 × 2 subarray tiles. This design is optimized for operation in the n261 band (27.5-28.35 GHz) with the active reflection coefficient |Γ| ≤ −10 dB across the targeted ±60° scan range. The array features a scan loss ranging from 3.2 dB to 3.9 dB in the H-, D-, and V-planes for both polarizations.