Broadband millimeter-wave suspended microstrip antenna array

Abstract

We present a 64-patch suspended microstrip antenna array operating at 38 GHz. It consists of a single-layer of suspended broadband antenna elements, a low-loss suspended microstrip corporate feed network and a ground-plane impedance transformer. The measured return loss is -36 dB at 38 GHz for a -10 dB bandwidth of 30%. The antenna gain was measured at 21 dB. The suspended microstrip antenna array has good radiation patterns. The structure chosen for these millimeter-wave arrays is compatible with micromachined antenna technology employed elsewhere. Chemical etching of the copper support fixture has proved to be an extremely efficient methodology.