A Low-Profile Wide-Scan Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna for 5G mm-Wave Communications

A low-profile magneto-electric dipole antenna for 5G communication networks is presented. The novel unit cell design exhibits a low complexity, facilitating a straightforward fabrication process. The antenna design operates from 24.25 GHz to 29.5 GHz, covering multiple frequency bands in the 5G New Radio Frequency Range 2. Across the operating band, a scan volume of up to 60° in the E- and 30° in the H-plane is achieved. The unit cell design was initially subjected to an infinite array analysis for optimization, followed by the fabrication of an 11 × 11 prototype antenna to validate the simulation results. The measured impedance bandwidth and the antenna gain are in good agreement with the simulations. The scan capability of the proposed magneto-electric dipole is validated through embedded element pattern measurements at 24.25 GHz, 27 GHz, and 29.5 GHz.