Dual-Polarized 28-GHz Air-Filled SIW Phased Antenna Array for Next-Generation Cellular Systems

Abstract

A high-performance dual-polarized eight-element air-filled substrate-integrated-waveguide (AFSIW) cavity-backed patch antenna array is presented. The antenna operates in the [26.5-29.5] GHz band and provides a stable high data-rate wireless communication link between end-user terminals and access points in next-generation cellular systems. Its topology is carefully selected to maximize the performance of the array. In addition, by combining the AFSIW technology with a new antenna architecture, a low-profile, low-cost, stable, and high-performance array design is guaranteed. A prototype was fabricated and validated, demonstrating a wide active impedance bandwidth over $\pm 35^{o}$ scanning range and low-cross polarization level within the entire frequency band.