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A generalized mesh-network equivalent model for a microstrip rectangular patch antenna (RPA), which is simple yet efficient is proposed, studied, and demonstrated in this article. The mesh-network equivalent model is established through the segmentation of RPA width and radiation parameters into $M$ sections, as well as the segmentation of RPA length into $N$ sections. A general design procedure to realize the mesh-network equivalent model is addressed and described for any number of RPA segmentations, as desired by specific applications. Subsequently, the proposed mesh-network equivalent model is used to accurately evaluate the input impedance responses at various feed positions along the length of RPA. In addition, to include the effects of a slot etched inside the RPA geometry, a generalized microstrip coupled line equivalent model is proposed, analyzed, and discussed in detail. Eventually, the microstrip coupled line model in conjunction with the proposed mesh-network equivalent model can accurately estimate the input impedance response of a slotted RPA, and has been verified for RPA with center slot, edge slot, and multiple slots as examples in this work. Two cases with multiport excitation of RPA are also analyzed and presented as a part of this work. For demonstration purposes, all these prototypes are designed, fabricated, and measured at 28 GHz. The proposed equivalent model-based results are validated by measured and simulated counterparts. Furthermore, the extension of the proposed mesh-network model to accommodate slots of smaller size inside RPA, RPA loaded with via, inverted-F antenna, and multimode operation are demonstrated and discussed through a comparison between mesh-network modeling results and simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a densely integrated and unified paralleled amplifier and antenna architecture is proposed and demonstrated for next-generation millimeter-wave (mmW) and terahertz (THz) front-end modules. It makes use of topologically paralleled transistors cohabitated within a compact rectangular patch antenna (CRPA) as a unified cell. This design simultaneously amplifies and radiates power without resorting to any power divider, input and output matching networks, or power combiner whatsoever, therefore, greatly reducing front-end loss, size, and complexity. Then, the unified unit cell is self-consistently distributed to form a unified planar array with active elements between array elements as power feeders. In this demonstration, the input power is sequentially amplified, radiated through each array element, and spatially added up, resulting in low on-board circuit losses and efficient radiation. In this article, we investigate and present challenges and early results of implementing this unification concept of active circuitry and antenna at mmW frequencies. Using a standard 65-nm CMOS process, a set of chips were designed, fabricated, and tested under different amplifier biasing conditions at 146 GHz for experimental demonstration. The realized low-loss, matched, and compact unified prototypes have demonstrated an amplified radiation, with power enhancement of 3.4 dB through single element and 6 dB through $2 \times 2$ layout compared to their respective passive counterparts. Moreover, frequency tuning is observed varying drain bias and self-matching is improved with increasing gate bias. Therefore, the feasibility of a unique feature in the architectural implementation of low-loss, compact, and densely integrated and topologically cohabitated mmW and THz front-end modules is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]