140-GHz planar SIW slot antenna array with a large-via-fence dielectric loading in LTCC

The 140-GHz slot antenna array with a large-via-fence dielectric loading based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology is proposed and fabricated using LTCC process. The proposed array consists of 4 × 4 radiating slot elements which are fed by a multilayered SIW and with a combined dielectric loading. All the radiating elements of the array are surrounded by one large via fence to simplify the fabrication and reduce the fabrication cost. The measured boresight gain of the 4×4 array is 15.6 dBi at 140 GHz and above 13.7 dBi over the operating bandwidth of 130-150 GHz. Furthermore, the dielectric loading with a large-via-fence eases the fabrication complexity, lowers the cost, and enhances fabrication reliability, making the array promising for upper millimeter wave applications.