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A novel bandwidth enhancement method using loading multiple parasitic structures to realize broadband miniaturized antenna is proposed. Based on the proposed strategies, one miniaturized wideband dual-polarized dipole antenna covering LTE/CDMA/GSM bands (690–960 MHz) for base-station application is designed. The antenna consists of two folded bowtie-shaped dipoles fed with a pair of crossed baluns, and is further loaded on a ceramic block with high permittivity ($\varepsilon$) for miniaturization. A parasitical square loop is loaded for bandwidth enhancement at a lower frequency. In addition, four split rings with a small square loop are firstly adopted for antenna resonance tuning, the impedance bandwidth is thus improved effectively. The antenna size is only $0.18\,\times \,0.18\,\times \, 0.22\,\,\lambda _{0}$ at the center frequency. The measured result of the fabricated prototype exhibits a relatively large operation bandwidth of 32.73% (VSWR < 1.6) with stable radiation patterns and relatively flat broadside gains. Moreover, to verify the feasibility of the proposed miniaturized antenna element in the base-station application, an array of $2\,\times \, 4$ is further designed. The measured results of the array indicate isolation over 20 dB with an impedance bandwidth of 32%. Due to the good performance and compact feature, the proposed miniaturized broadband antenna element can find large application potential in multiband wireless communication base stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel coupling-cancellation method by loading planar path is proposed and applied in the millimeter-wave phased array for wide-angle scanning. By employing the improved decoupling stubs with weak radiation first, an extra introduced wideband equal-magnitude and anti-phase path is generated to cancel the inherent coupling path. The principle of the proposed method is investigated by the equivalent circuits and the full-wave simulation. Based on this method, a high-isolation 1-D phased array using low-temperature-cofired ceramic (LTCC) process is designed and fabricated. The planar paths are placed symmetrically between the subarrays and its radiation polarization is coincident with the antenna elements, resulting in high isolation and enhanced boresight radiation null-fill of subarrays. The measured isolation is below 20 dB within the relative bandwidth of 16.7% and the maximum scanning angle is ±60°. Moreover, the proposed method can be expectedly extended to large-scale arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This communication presents a millimeter-wave wideband dual-polarized low-temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) antenna array based on metasurfaces (MSs) for beam-scanning applications. Benefiting from the wideband and large-freedom property of MS-based structures, a novel ±45° dual-polarized wideband MS-based antenna (MSA) element with high isolation is designed. The antenna element is fed by two orthogonal striplines on different layers, through a crosslike dog-bone slot and a narrow slot, respectively, to realize the two polarizations. The feeding structure consists of slot–stripline–slot–stripline from top to bottom and is specially designed to improve the polarization isolation of the antenna element. The proposed MSA element is compactly arranged with a small distance ($ < 0.5\lambda$) to construct a 4 $\times $ 4 array integrated in an LTCC package, where via walls with metal ring strips are loaded between adjacent elements to reduce the gain fluctuation. Consequently, the array can achieve a good beam-scanning capability over a wide band of 19.5% with a maximum scanning angle up to ±55° and a small gain variation of less than 3 dB. Meanwhile, the active $S$ parameters almost always remain below −10 dB, enabling good impedance matching when scanning at all angles. With these features, the proposed design has potential for application in 5G base-station systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-profile and shared aperture dual-polarized (DP) omnidirectional antenna by reusing the structure of an annular quasi-dipole array is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a center-fed circular patch antenna, an annular quasi-dipole array, a wideband one-to-four power divider integrated with the center-fed circular patch antenna, and two annular strips. The center-fed circular patch antenna is utilized as the driven element for the vertically polarized (VP) radiation. The annular quasi-dipole array fed by the one-to-four power divider produces horizontally polarized (HP) radiation. Simultaneously, it also acts as the VP director to improve VP gain and bandwidth. Besides, the two annular strips enhance the HP omni-directivity and gain. In this way, the VP and HP share the same aperture to improve the profile utilization rate effectively. Due to the symmetry of the basic antenna structure, stable DP donut patterns are obtained within the entire operating bandwidth. For demonstration, a 4.1–5.0 GHz prototype is designed, fabricated, and measured. Under a low profile of $0.13\lambda _{0}$ , the prototype realizes a −10 dB overlapped bandwidth of 20%, high port isolation of above 35 dB, and stable DP donut patterns with horizontal gain larger than 1.8 dBi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A planar bidirectional circularly polarized (CP) antenna using orthogonal magnetic dipoles (OMDs) without an extra phase shift line is proposed in this work. It consists of a rectangular microstrip magnetic dipole antenna (MMDA) and a loop radiator with two arms directly connected to the open edge of MMDA. The working principle is revealed by the equivalent sources model to provide a clear physical insight at first. The theoretical investigations imply that by controlling the width and the feed locations of the loop antenna on the aperture, the phase and magnitude for CP radiation can be realized in both endfire and backfire directions without introducing an additional phase shift line structure. For demonstration, one antenna prototype is designed and fabricated. The experimental results indicate that an overlapping bandwidth of 5.91% from 2.30 to 2.44 GHz is attained. Compared with the counterpart using OMDs, the proposed antenna exhibits a low design complexity and improved gains of 3.56/1.83 dBic in the endfire/backfire directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This communication presents a new multiband multiarray (MBMA) scattering suppression antenna configuration for a dual-band and dual-polarized antenna array with reduced radiation distortion. The proposed antenna array configuration consists of a low-band (LB) antenna element working in the 690–960 MHz band and four high-band (HB) antenna elements working in the 1.7–2.7 GHz band. The LB antenna introduces U-shape structures to the radiation element to neutralize HB scattering currents. On the other hand, the HB antenna involves an LC resonant structure between its radiation arm and feeding balun to suppress LB scattering currents. An antenna array using the proposed LB and HB elements is designed to achieve MBMA functions. Experimental results show that the radiation distortions in both LB and HB bands are improved significantly. The VSWR of less than 1.5, the isolation of more than 25 dB, and the symmetrical radiation pattern are obtained in both bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel decoupling method by utilizing one $1\times2$ subarray to provide a pair of phase-reversed coupling paths for coupling energy cancellation is proposed. The newly proposed decoupling approach is implemented by symmetrically loading several U-type, I-type, and cross strips around the antennas to change the original couplings, so that two elements in the $1\times2$ subarray can form a pair of phase-reversed coupling paths into adjacent element in different subarray for coupling cancellation. Then, the couplings from the subarray to adjacent element are effectively suppressed, thus the isolations between different subarrays of the array are promoted. Moreover, the method can be also applied in improving the isolation between different polarizations in the same subarray. In addition, these strips not only have little influence on radiation characteristics of the antenna array, but also can be etched on the antenna layer without extra profile and process. For demonstration, one dual- polarized patch antenna array based on the new decoupling mechanism is designed. The results indicate that all the isolations between the subarrays of the proposed dual-polarized antenna array can achieve a very high level of over 25 dB in an operation band of 3.4–3.6 GHz. Compared with other decoupling methods, the proposed method can simultaneously improve complex multiple-port isolations among different subarrays and different polarizations to realize a very high isolation with less impact on antenna radiation. Due to above features, the proposed decoupling mechanism is expected to find potential applications in 5G dual-polarized multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A broadband low-profile folded transmitarray (FTA) is proposed and investigated, in which a novel wideband transmission polarizer (TP) is used to realize low-profile design. The proposed TP, mainly consisting of a differential-fed grid-slotted patch antenna, can realize high-efficiency transmission and polarization selection simultaneously within a wideband frequency range. Moreover, the proposed TP can realize linear transmission phase because of the true-time delay (TTD) technique. Owing to the function of polarization selection and linear transmission phase, the TP can be used as antenna element for a FTA. A 140-element FTA is designed and fabricated by combining the TP with a broadband polarization rotation reflecting surface (PRRS). The measured radiation patterns agree well with the simulated results, and a peak gain of 24 dBi and maximum aperture efficiency of 44.7% are achieved. Furthermore, −1 and −3 dB gain bandwidth with 25.9% and 33.3% are also experimentally demonstrated in the proposed FTA, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method of dual-band dual-beam control (DDC) is proposed and applied in metasurface antennas (MSAs). Based on this DDC method, the feeding network employed in MSAs can realize independent forward and/or backward radiation of two bands. Combining the metasurface cells and feeding network, the desired bands and the corresponding beam angles of MSAs can be controlled. The symmetrical two-port feeding network consists of uniformly spaced slots in the ground and a bent microstrip line beneath the slots, so that two identical beams are realized. The radiation direction of the two bands can be implemented independently by adjusting the distance of the slots and length of the bent line simultaneously. To verify the design strategies, two prototypes (MSA A and MSA B) with different performance are designed, respectively. As a result, the proposed MSAs can achieve independent beam angels of two bands with low profile and compact design. The above good features make the proposed MSAs potential candidates in base-station antennas of high-capacity wireless communication system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel frequency-reconfigurable method using vanadium dioxide (VO2) is proposed. VO2 is one kind of phase change material (PCM) which can be electrically switched between the states of insulator and metal. By integrating the VO2 film into a uniplanar compact photonic-bandgap (UC-PBG) structure, a frequency-reconfigurable metasurface (FRMS) structure with frequency ratio of 1.78 is constructed accordingly. Moreover, the active VO2-based FRMS is used as radiation element to design a high-gain millimeter-wave frequency-reconfigurable metasurface antenna (FRMSA), which is excited by a stepped waveguide through two slots of different lengths. In order to electrically activate the VO2 films of the antenna, a simple dc bias co-planarly localized with the FRMS is well designed. Benefiting from the convenient connection of the UC-PBG, only simple connection with two sides of the antenna is required for the dc bias, thus causing little impact on radiation due to far from the radiation region. One prototype is fabricated and measured for demonstration. When the VO2 film is activated to insulating state, the measured results show that the proposed FRMSA can operate in 23.25–24.3 GHz with the maximum gain of ~8.7 dBi, while it can work in 37–39.8 GHz with a peak gain of ~7.6 dBi when driven to metallic state. The ratio of two frequencies is about 1:1.61. Compared with other reported VO2-based antennas, the proposed antenna exhibits a larger frequency ratio and higher gain in millimeter-wave bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel leaky wave endfire filtering antenna based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) is proposed. The structure of leaky wave antenna consists of multiple radiating elements and one double-sided parallel strip line (DSPSL), and the filtering performance is realized by adding stubs with via holes. The structure with a periodic arrangement of the radiating elements has similar dispersion curves of SSPPs, which has low-pass transmission characteristic and also can radiate energy to the free space. According to the measured results, a peak gain of 8.65 dBi at a center frequency of 7.7 GHz and a bandwidth of 36.36% can be achieved for the leaky wave endfire filtering antenna based on SSPPs. The out-of-band rejection is over 13 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A half-power beamwidth (HPBW) extended patch antenna with harmonic suppression is proposed in this article. The antenna consists of one driven patch and two parasitic patches. The parasitic patches are placed parallel to the two adjacent edges of a driven patch. By introducing four sets of shorting pins near the outer edges of the patches, surface currents on the patches flow through the pins to the edges of the ground plane periodically, making those edges radiate as electrical dipole elements. Huygens’-like radiation with extended HPBW and low back-lobe level is formed by the interaction of dipole and patch-like radiation sources. On the other hand, the resonance at the second harmonic frequency is suppressed, and resonances at higher order modes are shifted away from the third harmonic frequency because of the joint effect of introducing shorting pins and coupling between patches. The mechanism of the antenna is analyzed. A verifying prototype is implemented. In the measurement, the antenna operates at 5.23 GHz. HPBWs of 135°/132° are found, while front-to-back ratios of 13.5/13.3 dB are achieved in the XoZ/YoZ-plane. Resonances at the second and third harmonic frequencies are successfully suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel wideband polarization rotating element based on a metasurface antenna is proposed. To achieve high polarization isolation and low cross polarization, a wideband differential-driven dual-polarized metasurface antenna is designed accordingly. By connecting the two differential ports of the dual-polarized metasurface antenna, a wideband polarization rotating metasurface element (PRMSE) is realized, while a large polarization rotating bandwidth of 27.6% can be achieved. In addition, combining the true-time delay (TTD) microstrip lines, the PRMSE can achieve linear phase response and can be applied to the folded reflectarray design. Based on the PRMSE, a 140-element center-fed folded reflectarray (FRA) is designed and fabricated. The measured radiation patterns of the FRA are stable within the frequency range from 26 to 32 GHz. The measured −10 dB impedance bandwidth is 25.4% from 25.4 to 32.8 GHz. Furthermore, the measured 1 dB gain drop and 3 dB gain drop are 20.7% and 34.5%, respectively. The measured sidelobe levels are below −13 dB and the cross-polarization levels are below −30 dB at the broadside direction within the entire operating band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel compact differential-fed dual-polarized filtering patch antenna is proposed. Specific filtering response with radiation nulls is firstly realized for the dual-polarized antenna element by symmetrically loading defected ground structures (DGSs), a cross slot, and eight shorting pins without extra circuits. The DGS with pins can generate a lower edge radiation null for a sharp roll-off rate and simultaneously introduce extra in-band resonance for wide passband. Meanwhile, the cross slot with pins can offer an upper edge null and an in-band resonance. Combining with inherent higher order-mode null of the patch itself, the skirt selectivity and stopband suppression at upper band can be significantly improved. Meanwhile, the $\vert $ Sdd $11\vert $ at the upper and lower stopbands is close to 0 dB to achieve high stopband suppressions. As a result, a compact high-gain dual-polarized filtering patch antenna is readily constructed. Thanks for complete symmetry of above structures, the proposed method is very suitable for dual-polarized antennas, where all the performance for both polarizations are identical. For demonstration, a prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and measured. Good agreements between the measured and simulated results are observed, indicating good performance with a large bandwidth of about 23% and a peak gain of up to 8.9 dBi within the passband, as well as out-of-band suppression levels of more than 20 dB. Compared with other reported filtering antennas, the proposed filtering patch antenna not only exhibits good wideband dual-polarization radiation but also features high gain in a compact structure for very high aperture efficiency and ultralow cross-polarization level due to the differential feeding and complete symmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, compact filtering patch antenna with wide out-of-band suppression is presented, where the filtering mechanism is first analyzed and implemented based on mode analysis of a conventional patch antenna. According to the mode analysis, undesired higher-order modes can be effectively suppressed by selecting a proper length ratio of two sides of the patch and the feeding position, thus realizing a wide upper stopband. To further enhance the filtering response, another two simple filtering structures loaded on the patch antenna are also proposed. First, a split-ring-shaped slot is etched on the patch to generate a radiation null at the lower-band edge for improving skirt selectivity. Second, a U-shaped strip is etched underneath the patch and connected with the feeding probe, which can introduce another null at the upper band edge. As a result, a high suppression level of 23 dB in lower and upper stopbands can be realized, respectively, for the proposed filtering antenna, while the upper stopband can extend up to $2.3 f_{0}(f_{0}$ is the center frequency of the antenna). Furthermore, wide passband response can also be achieved by the extra in-band resonances existing in the slot and the strip. A filtering antenna prototype is fabricated and measured for demonstration. Good agreements between the simulated and the measured results are observed, indicating a large impedance bandwidth of 22.6%, high antenna efficiency of 95.6%, and an average gain of about 7.4 dBi. Compared with the reported filtering antennas, the proposed filtering antenna can achieve better wideband filtering response but with a simpler configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel filtering antenna based on periodic spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) is proposed. Double-sided parallel-strip line (DSPSL) is used to realize the wideband property for the double-layer SSPPs. Filtering performance can be realized by adding via holes and ring resonators in the double-layer SSPPs. The simulated and measured results indicate the high gain of 9.38 dBi and bandwidth of 10.44% can be achieved for the antenna with via holes and ring resonators, the out-of-band rejection is over 17 dBi. Meanwhile, the gain variations are less than 1 dBi in the whole frequency band. Good agreements can be observed between the measured and simulated results, which indicate good potential applications in the communication systems and integrated circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel filtering method based on the metasurface antenna (MSA) with radiation nulls is proposed without loading extra circuits. Due to the specific multiunit structure of MSA, the filtering method is first realized on each radiating metasurface (MS) unit by introducing a multifolded U-shaped slot and a defected ground structure to generate lower edge radiation nulls. Meanwhile, coplanar parasitic patches are loaded around the MS units to provide upper edge nulls and simultaneously introduce extra in-band resonances for wide passband. Thus, a low-profile, wideband, and high-gain filtering antenna is readily constructed. To verify the concept, a prototype with a low profile of only $0.04\lambda _{{0}}$ is designed and fabricated. The simulated and measured results agree well, demonstrating a good performance with large impedance bandwidth of about 20%, high average gain of 8 dBi, and high aperture efficiency of about 90%, together with high out-of-band suppression levels of about 20 dB. In addition, the radiation patterns are symmetric in both the E- and H-planes with cross-polarization suppressions of over 20 dB. Compared with the reported filtering antennas, the proposed filtering MSA can achieve the wideband filtering response in a low profile, as well as high gain with high aperture efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two 24 GHz horizontally polarized $1 \times 8$ patch antenna arrays were developed for automotive radar applications. The proposed antenna arrays offer the advantages of wide fan beams and high gain. The far-field radiation patterns are widened in the E-plane by disturbing the near-field distribution of each driven patch. In Design I, the driven patch is loaded with a parasitic loop, which functions as a director in the E-plane. Due to the directing effect, the E-plane beamwidth can be increased. The experimental verification prepared for Design I showed that a beamwidth of 130° and a gain of 12.2 dBi can be achieved through this method. To further enhance the beamwidth, another array with each patch loaded with parasitic mushroom-like elements was proposed by Design II. The PMLEs are 180° out of phase to their corresponding driven patch. The cancelation effects can be properly managed to slightly sacrifice the gain of the array in return for a wider beamwidth in the E-plane. Design II exhibits a wider beamwidth of 150° and a lower gain of 11.1 dBi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]