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Path loss compensated millimeter wave antenna module integrated with 3D ‐printed radome
Author(s) -
Karthikeya Gulur Sadananda,
Koul Shiban K.,
Poddar Ajay Kumar,
Rohde Ulrich
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of rf and microwave computer‐aided engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.335
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1099-047X
pISSN - 1096-4290
DOI - 10.1002/mmce.22347
Subject(s) - radome , antenna (radio) , extremely high frequency , footprint , compensation (psychology) , optics , acoustics , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , psychology , paleontology , psychoanalysis , biology
Millimeter wave antennas designed at 28 GHz is essential for future 5G base stations or access points and mobile terminals. In this paper, a compact pattern diversity module for millimeter wave 5G base stations is proposed by using 3D‐printing for radome design. In order to achieve path loss compensation in an indoor base station context, the gains of the antennas radiating at ±45° must be 3 dB higher than the antenna radiating in the boresight axis. First, an inset fed patch antenna integrated with a low‐cost industry standard 3D‐printed superstrate with Polylactic acid (PLA) is investigated to study its radiation characteristics. The radome is designed in such a way for optimal gain enhancement with minimal physical footprint. The height of the 2 mm thick superstrate is optimized for a boresight gain of 8 dBi. Second, the 3D‐printed superstrate is optimized for a boresight gain of 11 dBi, which satisfies the criterion of path loss compensation, in this case the antenna achieves an aperture efficiency of close to 72% at 28 GHz. A compact pattern diversity module with customized 3D‐printed radome is also presented to achieve path loss compensation and wide angular coverage of ±70° with associated isolation of less than 35 dB across the ports and the band. Detailed simulation and measurement results are presented.