Abstract
Planar antennas are common components in sensing applications due to their low cost, low profile and simple integration with systems. They can be used commonly at frequencies as high as 77 GHz and above, for example in automotive sensing. Also, new ultra-wideband communication systems operating around 60 GHz will heavily rely on planar antennas due to their unique properties. One special advantage of planar elements is that they can easily form array structures combining very simple elements, like microstrip patches. Also phased and conformal arrays can be built. Due to all these characteristics, planar antennas are very good candidates for building front ends for mm-wave applications in radar, sensing or communications. For some applications, which are either established today or which will become commercial in a few years, general requirements can be given. In addition to automotive radar, this mainly applies to 60 GHz ultra-broadband wireless indoor communications. Microwave imaging at 94 GHz and above is still much under research, as well as other sensing applications in the millimeter-wave region above 100 GHz. Prominent frequency bands are in the 122 and 140 GHz range1. Typical antenna requirements are multi-beam or scanning capability, high gain up to 30..36 dBi and moderate to low sidelobes. In monopulse radar systems, the sidelobes may be included in the angle determination scheme, then the sidelobe level requirements are rather relaxed. Loss is generally an important issue. Comparing a planar approach to a commercially available dielectric lens, the planar antenna exhibits significantly higher losses, especially if the beamforming device is included. The antenna efficiency of 77 GHz planar array columns is roughly 50%. These losses are caused by dielectric losses and conductor losses. To attain reliable predictions of the losses in full-wave simulations, care has to be taken in the
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
