Realizing a 140 GHz Gap Waveguide–Based Array Antenna by Low-Cost Injection Molding and Micromachining

Abstract

This paper presents a novel micromachining process to fabricate a 140 GHz planar antenna based on gap waveguide technology to be used in the next-generation backhauling links. The 140 GHz planar array antenna consists of three layers, all of which have been fabricated using polymer-based microfabrication and injection molding. The 140 GHz antenna has the potential to be used as an element in a bigger 3D array in a line-of-sight (LOS) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) configuration to boost the network capacity. In this work, we focus on the fabrication of a single antenna array element based on gap waveguide technology. Depending on the complexity of each antenna layer’s design, three different micromachining techniques, SU8 fabrication, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molding, and injection molding of the polymer (OSTEMER), together with gold (Au) coating, have been utilized to fabricate a single 140 GHz planar array antenna. The input reflection coefficient was measured to be below − 11 dB over a 14% bandwidth from 132 to 152 GHz, and the antenna gain was measured to be 31 dBi at 140 GHz, both of which are in good agreement with the simulations.