Implementation of a Millimeter-Wave Butler Matrix on Metallic Nanowires-Filled Membrane Platform

Abstract

Wireless communications with greater transmission capacities are possible in the millimeter wave (mmWave) region. However, to overcome the significant propagation losses in this frequency band, it is necessary to employ more efficient and intelligent antennas based on MIMO and beam-steering phased array technologies. This paper demonstrates the fabrication of a beam steerable array antenna using a $4\times 4$ Butler matrix at 60 GHz employing the metallic nanowire membrane (MnM) substrate. This substrate has the advantage of interconnecting two metallization layers by vias fabricated through its nanopores. Experimental characterization of the fabricated samples shows that the MnM platform represents a high-potential candidate for millimeter-wave front-ends supporting the beam-steering technique.