Design of Beam Steering-Switching Array for 5G S-Band Adaptive Antenna Applications (Part-III)

The proposed research work presents a design of dual-band, beam-steering antenna array with feed network and E-shaped radiators. Two different design schemes has been proposed for 5G applications. This paper presents a detailed design procedure, a prototype, including the array and a planar feed network, for the second scheme. This array is capable to generate more than 22 beams in different directions depending on the ON/OFF state of PIN diodes (MA4SPS402) used in the switched line phase shifters. The scanning range covered by this array is −45° to +45°. To cover the entire 360o range, four such array prototypes are sufficient. To enhance the directive characteristics of the array, inter-element spacing is optimized with D1 = 86 mm and D2 = 40 mm. Maximum directive gain is 14.4 dBi at 3.6 GHz and 11.7 dBi at 2.4 GHz. Return Loss obtained is −24.89 dB at 3.6 GHz and −13.79 dB at 2.4 GHz. In order to operate the array in two frequency bands, the Slot antenna is designed using Quarter Wave Transformer with Directive Gain of 7.6 dBi and 7.39 dBi at 3.6 and 2.4 GHz respectively. Feed network for this second array has been designed using Wilkinson Power Dividers and Switched Line Phase Shifters. When the frequency of the excitation signal is 3.6 GHz, the maxima will be in the positive direction and when it is 2.4 GHz, it will be in the negative direction for the E-Plane. Beam switching, which is based ON/OFF state of the phase shifters will be in the H-Plane for both frequency regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]