60-GHz Dual-Polarized Two-Dimensional Switch-Beam Wideband Antenna Array of Aperture-Coupled Magneto-Electric Dipoles

A dual-polarized aperture-coupled magneto-electric (ME) dipole antenna is proposed. Two separate substrate-integrated waveguides (SIWs) implemented in two printed circuit board (PCB) laminates are used to feed the antenna. The simulated -10-dB impedance bandwidth of the antenna is 21% together with an isolation of over 45 dB between the two input ports. Good radiation characteristics, including almost identical unidirectional radiation patterns in two orthogonal planes, front-to-back ratio larger than 20 dB, cross-polarization levels less than -23 dB, and a stable gain around 8 dBi over the operating band, are achieved. By employing the proposed radiating element, a 2 × 2 wideband antenna array working at the 60-GHz band is designed, fabricated, and tested, which can generate two-dimensional (2-D) multiple beams with dual polarization. A measured - 10 dB impedance bandwidth wider than 22% and a gain up to 12.5 dBi are obtained. Owing to the superiority of the ME dipole, the radiation pattern of the array is also stable over the operating frequencies and nearly identical in two orthogonal planes for both of the polarizations. With advantages of desirable performance, convenience of fabrication and integration, and low cost, the proposed antenna and array are attractive for millimeter-wave wireless communication systems.