Experimental Validation of Multi-feed Resonant Cavity Antenna for mm-Wave Communication

This article presents a high-gain antenna system operating at millimeter-wave frequencies in the Ka-band. The system integrates on-chip spherical dielectric resonators with a resonant cavity antenna to enable in-antenna power combining. Each dielectric resonator in the antenna is excited by a pair of diagonally-opposite microstrip resonators. This innovative approach reduces chip area usage and offers significant benefits, including a low-profile design and simplified assembly compared to similar antennas. The partially reflecting superstrate, with an asymmetric pattern of circular metallic patches printed on one side of a thin dielectric slab, improves the feed antenna gain by 10 dB at the design frequency of 30 GHz. We present full-wave electromagnetic simulation results and validate these using experimental results from measurements performed in an anechoic chamber. Experimental results closely follow simulation results and therefore validate both our design methodology and claims of enhanced radiation performance and efficient power combining capability.