60 GHz Broadband LTCC Antenna for 5G Mobile Communication Systems

Received: 8 August 2020 Accepted: 25 December 2020 This paper provides a numerical investigation in designing wideband circularly polarized 60 GHz antenna using Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic technology (LTCC). The LTCC provides high-density multilayer integration, low dielectric loss, and low costs. The use of LTCC technology is advantageous for easy and flexible 3D integration and freer vias distribution in the substrate. The designed antenna focuses on obtaining a better tradeoff in terms of size, gain, circular polarization (CP), and large bandwidth. The circular polarization was chosen in order to minimize the transmission errors caused by polarization inconsistency between the transmitter and the receiver. The antenna geometry is developed taking into consideration the design rules of the LTCC with a layer thickness of 100 μm after firing and a metal layer thickness of 9 μm. A bandwidth of more than 33% centered at 60 GHz was obtained for this designed multilayer antenna. The results are obtained by using the High-Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS). The proposed integrated antenna can be used in future 5G wireless communication systems and other 60 GHz spectrum applications.