A low-cost dual-polarized 28 GHz phased array antenna for 5G communications

Abstract

A dual-polarized patch array antenna operating at 28 GHz is designed for 5G communication applications. Based on the conventional PCB process, the antenna is suitable for the phased array module integration, and it can support both horizontal and vertical polarizations. For the single antenna element, it achieves simulated average return loss of less than 10 dB, gain of about 6 dBi from 25 to 30 GHz. In addition, the isolation between the horizontal and vertical polarizations is lower than −20 dB. For the phased array antenna, the simulated peak gain at broadside and 30 degree is 17.6 and 14.6 dBi, respectively. Furthermore, 4 identical 2×2 element subarrays are arranged with special configurations, improving the antenna arrays' cross-polarization suppression and avoiding undesired sidelobes.