High gain dielectric loaded exponentially tapered slot antenna array based on substrate integrated waveguide for V-band wireless communications

The conception of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology and exponentially tapered slot (ETS) antenna are together used to design a high gain, and efficient planar dielectric loaded antenna for V-band wireless communications. SIW is used to feed the proposed antenna. To increase the gain of the antenna, a dielectric loaded portion is used in front of the antenna and works as a dielectric guiding structure. The dielectric loaded ETS antenna and compact SIW feed are fabricated on a single substrate, resulting in low cost and easy fabrication. The antenna with elliptical shaped dielectric loaded is fabricated using printed circuit board process. The measured gain of the single element antenna is 10.2 dB, while the radiation efficiency of 96.84% is obtained at 60 GHz. The Y-junction SIW power divider is used to form a 1 x 2 array structure. Measured gain of the 1 x 2 array antenna is 11.2 dB, while the measured radiation pattern and gain are almost constant within the wide bandwidth of the antenna. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.