Multilayer printed antennas and arrays for 5G applications

In this paper we describe a class of printed patch antennas that involve 3 metal layers completely integrated within a single dielectric, which are of very high efficiency and significant gain. The antennas presented have dual linear polarization and sufficient impedance matching bandwidth to be suited for sub-6 5G applications, producing advantageous antenna arrays monolithically integrated into a single planar PCB that are thin and lightweight. The feeding mechanism of the antennas is through an intermediate dedicated metal layer designed appropriately as a coupler, coupling the input power at the feeding ports of the structure to the antenna without a direct metal contact to the radiating patch. The multilayer design allows monolithic integration of multi-element combiners and phase shifters within the PCB of antenna arrays and results in compact monolithic scanning arrays. Theoretical full-wave simulations and measurements of fabricated prototypes are in very good agreement and validate the proposed designs.