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In this study, a metamaterial-based LTCC compressed Luneburg lens was designed, manufactured and measured. The lens was designed at 60 GHz to utilize the unlicensed mm-wave spectrum available for short-range high-capacity wireless communication networks. The transformation optics method was applied to ensure the compression of the Luneburg lens antenna and thus maintain a low-profile structure. The two different types of unit cells for low and high permittivity regions were considered. The parametric study of the effect of compression on lens performance was presented. The antenna is implemented with a standard high-permittivity LTCC process, and details of the manufacturing process for the metamaterial lens are discussed. The low-profile lens is thinner than 2 mm and measures 19 mm in diameter. A size reduction of 63.6% in comparison with a spherical lens was achieved. The near-field to far-field mm-wave measurement technique is presented, and the measurement results show a peak antenna gain of 16 dBi at 60 GHz and a beam-scanning capacity with 1 dB scan loss within a 50° field of view.
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3D‐printed 4‐zone Ka‐band Fresnel lens: design, fabrication, and measurement
A planar and thin‐grooved Fresnel lens is a great candidate for gain enhancement in millimetre wave communication, imaging systems, and wireless power transfer applications. The authors report the design, fabrication, and measurement of a 3D‐printed Fresnel lens, using a single material. A low‐profile (1.2λthick) 4‐zone Fresnel lens with 16 annular rings is designed with a focal length of 40 mm (≃4λ) operating at 30 GHz. Authors’ design consists of four‐step heights with outer radius of 69 mm (6.9λ). Permittivity and loss tangent of polylactic acid are measured to be 2.79 and 0.0048 at 30 GHz, respectively. Focusing ability of the lens is studied using full‐wave simulation. The lens is fabricated using a table‐top commercial fused deposition modelling printer. The surface roughness, step heights, and radii of each zone are measured and verified using a 3D optical profilometer. Impact of the 3D‐printed limitation on performance of the device is discussed. The gain of the fabricated prototype is measured, in conjunction with a horn antenna, in an anechoic chamber. Pattern measurement results illustrate 6.6 dB gain enhancement at broadside at 30 GHz. Gain enhancing behaviour is studied at three different focal lengths and frequencies of 29–31 GHz.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1711102
- PAR ID:
- 10570743
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1049
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation
- Volume:
- 14
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1751-8725
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: p. 28-35
- Size(s):
- p. 28-35
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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