Stripline-fed LTCC microstrip patch antenna for 35 GHz applications

Abstract

This paper presents the design, electromagnetic simulation and experimental results of a 35 GHz microstrip patch antenna with four parasitic patches. The structure was designed for a six tape Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics process (LTCC). The antenna element is fed by a stripline, taking advantage of the 3D vertical integration possibilities of the LTCC technology. The measured working band (for |S11| <; - 10 dB) is between 34.48-36.39 GHz. The simulated directivity at 35 GHz is of 8.14 dBi. The compact size of the antenna element (6.24 × 6.15 mm2) and the stripline feed offer the possibility of building large arrays and integrating them in a LTCC system-in-package approach.