Abstract
This paper reports on the design and three-dimensional (3D) integration of low-cost, low-loss and easy-to-fabricate 3D-printed integrated lens antennas (ILAs) for 5G broadband wireless communications in the 28 GHz frequency range. The ILA designs consist of an extended hemispherical lens, fed by two different types of source antennas, a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) slot antenna array and a microstrip patch antenna (MPA) array. Results from comprehensive parametric analyses of the infill pattern and density of the 3D printed dielectric lenses are also intensively investigated and characterized for their electromagnetic properties, e.g., electric-field distribution. The ILAs are fabricated using polylactic acid (PLA) as the fused deposition modelling (FDM) polymer with an optimized infill density of 50%, which speeds up prototyping time and decreases the relative permittivity, dielectric loss, manufacturing cost, and overall mass of the lens. These features are illustrated through experimental verification and characterization of at least three samples. From the measurement results, the ILAs achieve a fractional bandwidth of 10.7%, ranging from 26.5 to 29.4 GHz with a maximum gain of 15.6 dBi at boresight and half power beam-width of approximately 58° and 75° in the E and H planes, respectively.
Highlights
Future fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication systems are expected to enhance reliability and drastically increase data rates to an ever-growing number of mobile users and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices [1]
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Several samples of each source antenna, i.e. substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) slot array and 2x1 microstrip patch antenna (MPA) array, were fabricated and tested, with typical best results presented and discussed here. Photographs of these source antennas, both individually and after integration with the dielectric lenses are shown in Fig. 11(a) and 11(b)
Antennas most commonly used as source antennas under dielectric lenses are the MPAs and SIW slot antennas, due to the ease of their fabrication, straightforward integration with other circuits, low mass and low profile
Summary
Future fifth-generation (5G) wireless communication systems are expected to enhance reliability and drastically increase data rates to an ever-growing number of mobile users and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices [1]. To address this increase in telecommunication traffic requirements, portions of the underused millimeter-wave spectrum have been offered by regulators and used by service operators worldwide for fixed wireless access [2]. Millimeter-wave communication systems have limited range due to higher path loss and atmospheric attenuation and absorption [2] This drawback has motivated the research to develop efficient and high-gain antennas, especially in the Ka band for 5G mobile communication.
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