Simple Tri-Layer Linearly Polarized Discrete Lens Antenna With High-Efficiency for mmWave Applications

A new linearly polarized discrete lens antenna for satellite applications is designed in 42-GHz band with 1-bit phase quantization and attractive elementary cell design. This phased array has a fairly simple novel structure with only three metallic layers and exhibits compelling features for Q-band applications. The design and optimization of the power budget has been theoretically analyzed and verified experimentally. The elementary cell's impedance matching measurements show a reflection loss below -10 dB at 40.3-42.6 GHz and an insertion loss of 0.42 dB at 41.5 GHz. The proposed discrete lens antenna achieves directivity/gain values of 25.1/22 dBi. Power efficiency of 50% is also achieved with a 3-dB gain bandwidth of up to 8.7% and very low cross-polarization levels.