Continuous beam steering antenna with large 2D coverage for 5G applications

A gap waveguide continuous beam steering antenna is proposed in the 60-GHz band for 5G applications. The antenna is composed of two parts: i) a quasi-TEM feeding network, ii) a slotted radiating plate. The relative mechanical rotation between the two parts generates a phase gradient across the radiating part and the beam radiated in the upper hemisphere can be scanned continuously. The antenna is developed in hollow waveguide with a contactless technology to ease the mechanical movement between the antenna parts. The proposed antenna has been validated numerically and experimentally in the 60-GHz band. Very good agreement has been obtained between simulations and measurements. The antenna field of view reaches ±60°. and its bandwidth equals 13% for VSWR<;2. The losses within the structure are 0.5dB. Finally a large 2D beam coverage can be obtained by combining frequency scanning and mechanical rotation of the two antenna parts; these results are also confirmed experimentally.