New dense dielectric patch array antenna for future 5G short-range communications

In this paper, new dense dielectric (DD) patch array antenna prototype operating at 28 GHz for the future fifth generation (5G) short-range wireless communications applications is presented. This array antenna is proposed and designed with a standard printed circuit board (PCB) process to be suitable for integration with radio-frequency/microwave circuitry. The proposed structure employs four circular shaped DD patch radiator antenna elements fed by a l-to-4 Wilkinson power divider surrounded by an electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure. The DD patch shows better radiation and total efficiencies compared with the metallic patch radiator. For further gain improvement, a dielectric layer of a superstrate is applied above the array antenna. The calculated impedance bandwidth of proposed array antenna ranges from 27.1 GHz to 29.5 GHz for reflection coefficient (Sn) less than -1OdB. The proposed design exhibits good stable radiation patterns over the whole frequency band of interest with a total realized gain more than 16 dBi. Due to the remarkable performance of the proposed array, it can be considered as a good candidate for 5G communication applications.