Millimeter-Wave Butler Matrix Beamforming Circuit Using Finline in Double-Layer Dielectric Substrate

This article presents a new kind of finline in double-layer dielectric substrate and its beamforming circuit of Butler matrix in the millimeter-wave band. The finline is constructed by inserting a slotline between two dielectric substrate layers. In this configuration, it is bounded within a closed structure composed of a double-layer dielectric substrate and two rows of via-hole arrangement, contributing to low dispersion and low radiation loss of the finline characteristics. The proposed finline design aims to provide a low-complexity and low-loss transmission line which is applied to the Butler matrix design. A 4×4 Butler matrix for 4 switchable beams is realized by using the finline in the double-layer dielectric substrate. In addition, a waveguide-to-finline transition is developed as a feeding circuit for the Butler matrix. Characteristics of the proposed transition and the Butler matrix were analyzed by electromagnetic analysis of the finite element method and demonstrated by experiments at 79 GHz. The proposed Butler matrix obtains a wideband characteristic and an acceptable insertion loss of 2.42 dB. The array factor which is calculated from the measured amplitude and phase outputs 4 switchable beams with the beam directions of +14°, -46.5°, +46.5° and -14°, respectively. The proposed beamforming circuit using finline in double-layer dielectric substrate would be attractive for millimeter-wave applications due to its performance and low cost.