Wideband phased array antenna for millimeter wave communications
A wideband phased array antenna is provided. The wideband phased array antenna includes a plurality of antenna cells. Each of the antenna cells is configured to communicate over a frequency band ranging from 24 GHz to 52 GHz. Furthermore, one or more of the antenna cells includes a driven element and a parasitic element. The driven element is disposed on a first substrate that includes a first dielectric material. The parasitic element is disposed on a second substrate positioned relative to the first substrate such that a gap is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second substrate includes a second dielectric material that is different than the first dielectric material.
1. A wideband phased array antenna comprising:
a plurality of antenna cells, each of the antenna cells configured to communicate over a frequency band ranging from 24 GHz to 52 GHz, one or more of the antenna cells comprising:
a driven element disposed on a first substrate, the first substrate comprising a first dielectric material; and
a parasitic element disposed on a second substrate positioned relative to the first substrate such that a gap is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate, the second substrate comprising a second dielectric material, the second dielectric material being different than the first dielectric material,
wherein a cross-sectional area of the driven element is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the parasitic element.
2. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein a scan range of the wideband phased array antenna in an azimuth plane is wider than a scan range of the wideband phased array antenna in an elevation plane.
3. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein:
the first dielectric material has a first permittivity; and
the second dielectric material has a second permittivity, the second permittivity being different than the first permittivity.
4. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 3 , wherein the first permittivity is greater than the second permittivity.
5. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 4 , wherein a ratio of the first permittivity to the second permittivity is about 3.
6. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein:
the first dielectric material comprises a first polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite; and
the second dielectric material comprises a second PTFE composite, the second PTFE composite being different than the first PTFE.
7. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the second substrate is thicker than the first substrate.
8. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 7 , wherein a ratio of a thickness of the second substrate to a thickness of the first substrate is about 2.
9. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the frequency band ranges from 24 GHz to 30 GHz.
10. The wideband phased array antenna of claim 1 , wherein the frequency band ranges from 30 GHz to 40 GHz.
11. An antenna system comprising:
a phase shifter circuit electrically coupled to a radio frequency (RF) source; and
a wideband phased array antenna electrically coupled to the phase shifter circuit, the wideband phased array antenna comprising a plurality of antenna cells, each of the antenna cells configured to communicate over a frequency band ranging from 24 GHz to 52 GHz, one or more of the antenna cells comprising:
a driven element disposed on a first substrate, the first substrate comprising a first dielectric material; and
a parasitic element disposed on a second substrate positioned relative to the first substrate such that a gap is defined between the first substrate and the second substrate, the second substrate comprising a second dielectric material, the second dielectric material being different than the first dielectric material,
wherein a cross-sectional area of the driven element is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the parasitic element.
12. The antenna system of claim 11 , wherein:
the first dielectric material has a first permittivity; and
the second dielectric material has a second permittivity, the second permittivity being different than the first permittivity.
13. The antenna system of claim 12 , wherein the first permittivity is greater than the second permittivity.
14. The antenna system of claim 11 , wherein a bandwidth of the one or more antenna cells of the plurality of antenna cells is about 1400 megahertz.
15. The antenna system of claim 11 , wherein a gain associated with a main lobe of a radiation pattern of the wideband phased array antenna in an azimuth plane is substantially the same as a gain associated with a main lobe of a radiation pattern of the wideband phased array antenna in an elevation plane.
16. The antenna system of claim 11 , wherein a scan range of the wideband phased array antenna in an azimuth plane is wider than a scan range of the wideband phased array antenna in an elevation plane.
17. The antenna system of claim 16 , wherein:
the scan range in the azimuth plane is about 100 degrees; and
the scan range in the elevation plane is about 30 degrees.
18. The antenna system of claim 11 , wherein the driven element includes a first patch antenna, and wherein the parasitic element includes a second patch antenna.
19. The antenna system of claim 11 , wherein the second substrate is thicker than the first substrate.