Screen-Printed, Flexible, Parasitic Beam-Switching Millimeter-Wave Antenna Array for Wearable Applications

Abstract

Millimeter wave antennas have applications in several sensing and communication systems. Such antennas, designed for modern miniaturized devices and systems, must be low profile, flexible, and low cost. Some applications also require beam steering for detection purposes. Combining all these features into an antenna system and delivering decent antenna performance is challenging. In this study, we combined a partially reflective surface with a parasitic patch array to create a simple beam-switching, low-profile, and flexible wearable detection system. To ensure lower costs as well as compatibility with wearable systems, screen printing was utilized on a flexible substrate. The antenna array was optimized for the 77 GHz band and had a high gain of 11.2 dBi. The designed system has three independent beams, which can be oriented from bore-sight to ±32∘ through a simple switching mechanism. The antenna array maintains its performance in both flat and flexed conditions. Finally, the antenna array was tested in the field to successfully detect objects moving in three different directions.