Cavity-backed Slot Array for Multilayer PCB Implementation

Communications systems at millimeter-wavelength (mm Wave) frequencies are expected to become ubiquitous, with their antennas commonly integrated within printed circuit boards (PCBs.) This paper proposes a compact low-cost mmWave PCB antenna element that is amenable to multilayer PCB designs and scalable to large arrays. The V-band (60GHz) cavity-backed slot array design excites the TE330 mode within a PCB cavity formed from walls made of microvias. The cavity excites nine radiating slot elements to form a high-gain broadside beam, and is single slot-fed from a substrate-integrated waveguide. A summary of the performance and a breakdown of the loss mechanisms are presented.