Design and optimization of circularly polarized dielectric resonator antenna array based on Al₂O₃ ceramic

A comprehensive design of an ultra-broadband circularly polarized (CP) dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) array operating in the C-band for fifth-generation (5G) communication systems is presented in this paper. The objective is to achieve a compact antenna size capable of receiving and transmitting CP electromagnetic waves over a wider bandwidth. The material chosen for the dielectric resonator (DR) is Alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic, known for its low dielectric loss and exceptional mechanical properties, making it an ideal candidate for the DR. The proposed design utilizes a 2 × 2 array of cross-shaped DRs, fed by a compact circular phase-shift feeding network with double-point feeding. This configuration results in a 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 48.7 % and an impedance matching bandwidth (IMB) of 53.2 %. The antenna's horizontal size is reduced to 1.17 × 1.17λ₀², and the gain is significantly enhanced by exciting multiple Mie resonances in the stacked DRs, yielding a measured peak gain of 12.48 dBic. These outstanding features position the CP DRA array as an excellent choice for 5G communication systems. © 2023 THE AUTHORS.