Abstract
This paper presents the results of a study on improving the performance parameters such as the impedance bandwidth, radiation gain and efficiency, as well as suppressing substrate loss of an innovative antenna for on-chip implementation for millimetre-wave and terahertz integrated-circuits. This was achieved by using the metamaterial and the substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) technologies. The on-chip antenna structure comprises five alternating layers of metallization and silicon. An array of circular radiation patches with metamaterial-inspired crossed-shaped slots are etched on the top metallization layer below which is a silicon layer whose bottom surface is metalized to create a ground plane. Implemented in the silicon layer below is a cavity above which is no ground plane. Underneath this silicon layer is where an open-ended microstrip feedline is located which is used to excite the antenna. The feed mechanism is based on the coupling of the electromagnetic energy from the bottom silicon layer to the top circular patches through the cavity. To suppress surface waves and reduce substrate loss, the SIW concept is applied at the top silicon layer by implementing the metallic via holes at the periphery of the structure that connect the top layer to the ground plane. The proposed on-chip antenna has an average measured radiation gain and efficiency of 6.9 dBi and 53%, respectively, over its operational frequency range from 0.285–0.325 THz. The proposed on-chip antenna has dimensions of 1.35 × 1 × 0.06 mm3. The antenna is shown to be viable for applications in millimetre-waves and terahertz integrated-circuits.
Highlights
This is an era of millimetre-wave and terahertz (THz) wireless communications, which is necessary to deliver multi-Gbps data rates using standard, low-cost integrated-circuit technology
The patches are excited by an open-ended microstrip line in the form of a cross-shaped line that is constructed on the backside of the bottom silicon layer
Compared to previously reported on-chip antenna designs, the proposed design is of a simpler structure and easy to fabricate at low cost, which makes it viable for mass production
Summary
This is an era of millimetre-wave (mm-wave) and terahertz (THz) wireless communications, which is necessary to deliver multi-Gbps data rates using standard, low-cost integrated-circuit technology. The patches are excited by an open-ended microstrip line in the form of a cross-shaped line that is constructed on the backside of the bottom silicon layer. In this approach, an optimized cross-shaped slot is created inside each circular patch. Proposed on-chip antenna with MTM properties Min. gain & efficiency @ 0.285 THz Max. gain & efficiency @ 0.305 THz Ave. gain & efficiency (0.285 THz–0.325 THz). 5 and 6, and the discrepancy can be attributed to several factors, Fig. 7 Simulated and measured E-plane and H-plane radiation patterns of the proposed metamaterial on-chip antenna at various spot frequencies in the antenna’s operating frequency range.
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