Millimeter-wave planar antenna array augmented with a low-cost 3D printed dielectric polarizer for sensing and internet of things (IoT) applications

Abstract

A unique high gain antenna array with a 3D-printed dielectric polarizer is proposed. The packaging of the antenna array feeding structure is eliminated by aggregating the feeding network in between the antenna elements. This has a significant advantage in maintaining neat and symmetric radiation characteristics with low cross-polarization levels. The proposed structure combines two elements in one feeding point to reduce the array distribution feeding points of a 4 × 4 antenna array from 16 to 8 points. The proposed antenna array structure is extremely low in cost and can be used as either a linearly or circularly polarized one. The antenna array achieves a gain of 20 dBi/dBiC in both scenarios. The matching bandwidth is 4.1%, and the 3-dB Axial Ratio (AR) bandwidth is 6%. The antenna array uses a single substrate layer without the need for any vias. The proposed antenna array suits well various applications at 24 GHz, while maintaining high performance metrics, and low cost. The antenna array can be easily integrated with transceivers due to the use of printed microstrip line technology.