Pixel Antenna Design for mm-Wave Wireless Communications to Achieve Wide Scanning

In this paper, we illustrate the feasibility of achieving extensive scan capabilities through the integration of a pixel antenna into a radiating matrix, designed for millimeter-wave communications. The antenna element is a combination of a capacitively coupled patch antenna and a partially reflective surface, that operates in the frequency range between 27 GHz and 29 GHz. With the integration of a linear matrix, we can achieve a scan range from
$-74^{\circ}$
to
$+74^{\circ}$
. In an 8
$\times 8$
matrix, the scan range extends from
$-63^{\circ}$
to
$+63^{\circ}$
in the
$\phi=0^{\circ}$
-plane and from
$-57^{\circ}$
to
$+57^{\circ}$
in the
$\phi=90^{\circ}$
-plane, with only a 3 dB scan loss. The planar matrix is arranged in a triangular grid, which significantly reduces mutual coupling with adjacent elements when compared to the regular grid.