Planar millimeter-wave antenna arrays

Recent research on thin, planar array mm-wave antennas for conformal applications at frequencies from 35-140 GHz is explored. The devices usually consist of transmission-lines on a substrate, with scanning capabilities coming from the motions of the vehicle to which the antenna adheres. The performance characteristics and limitations of open mm-waveguides for linear arrays are reviewed, along with the associated types of discontinuities and salient design issues. Design guidelines and numerical models for launchers for mm-devices for antenna and IC applications are discussed. Techniques for controlling dissipative losses between the feeder and launcher are investigated, noting the compromise available with a dielectric material for the long feeders of a microstrip resonator array. Steps for accounting for the necessary coupling are outlined. The inability to achieve suitable tolerances is identified as the chief obstacle to the production of low-profile corporate feeds. However, the specifications may be met if sufficient production is funded to support further device and manufacturing improvements.