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SLM Printed Millimeter-Wave Multibeam Antenna Array Based on Filtering Butler Matrix | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore

SLM Printed Millimeter-Wave Multibeam Antenna Array Based on Filtering Butler Matrix


Abstract:

In this communication, a 3-D-printed filtering Butler matrix-based 1\times4 multibeam antenna array is investigated in the Ka-band. The Butler matrix consists of all-...Show More

Abstract:

In this communication, a 3-D-printed filtering Butler matrix-based 1\times4 multibeam antenna array is investigated in the Ka-band. The Butler matrix consists of all-resonator 180° filtering hybrids, 90° couplers, and phase shifters, providing incremental phase gradients along with a bandpass characteristic. Four wideband horns are employed as the radiator array. The proposed design eliminates the requirement of crossovers and connectors between the Butler matrix and radiators, resulting in a much compact structure. The 1\times4 multibeam filtering antenna array prototype is monolithically fabricated using selective laser melting (SLM) 3-D printing technology. The prototype achieves an impedance bandwidth (return loss > 10 dB) of 28.1–29.8 GHz, a gain of up to 16.2 dBi, and stable radiation beams at 0°, ±23°, and ±46°. Meanwhile, beyond the operating bandwidth, the realized gain experiences a suppression of more than 30 dB. The proposed filtering Butler matrix-fed multibeam array, characterized by its high efficiency, large power capacity, and excellent frequency selectivity performance, demonstrates potential applications in millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) communication systems.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation ( Volume: 72, Issue: 4, April 2024)
Page(s): 3813 - 3818
Date of Publication: 08 March 2024

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I. Introduction

Multibeam antenna arrays with passive beamforming networks (BFNs) have emerged as promising solutions for the evolving 5G wireless applications, due to their low-cost beam scanning capability [1], [2]. According to the principle of operation, the passive BFNs can be realized through three main categories: lens-based [3], reflector-based [4], and beamforming circuit-based arrays [5]. Although lens- and reflector-based arrays offer wide operating bandwidths due to their frequency-independent quasi-optical performance, their bulky volume limits their practicality to some extent [6]. On the other hand, beamforming circuit-based arrays, which rely on passive components with specific topologies, offer a more compact size. Among various beamforming circuits, the Blass matrix [7], Nolen matrix [8], and the Butler matrix [9] are widely recognized and developed in recent years. Compared with the lossy Blass matrix and asymmetry Nolen matrix, Butler matrices have garnered significant attention due to their lossless and symmetry topology, as well as excellent port isolation [10], [11], [12]. Typically, a Butler matrix is composed of hybrid couplers, crossovers, and phase shifters. In practical applications, additional bandpass filters are often employed to eliminate interference as well [13]. To achieve miniaturization and mitigate cascaded losses between filters and BFNs, the integration of frequency-selective characteristics into Butler matrices has become an area of active research [14].

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