Metamaterial-Based Wide-Beam Dielectric Resonator Antenna for Broadband Wide-Angle Beam-Scanning Phased Array Applications

A novel metamaterial-loaded, miniaturized, broadband, wide-beam dielectric resonator (DR) antenna is presented for low-cast wide-angle beam-scanning applications. The mushroom structure is loaded on the DR structure, so the proposed DR radiator reduces the size reduction (low profile, 0.094 lambda(0)) and achieves a broadened bandwidth with a dual-mode response. The realized 3 dB beamwidth of the DR radiator is widened from 90 degrees to 194 degrees by introducing a pair of miniaturized equal-amplitude and out-of-phase Huygens sources. Owing to its compact size and wide beamwidth, a five-element low-cost wide-angle beam-scanning phased array is presented by using the proposed widebeam DR elements. The measured -10 dB impedance bandwidth covers the 5G-78 band well (3.30-3.80 GHz, 14.1%). The realized scanning angle of the fabricated linear array can be extended from +/- 36 degrees to +/- 65 degrees, and its 3 dB beamwidth scanning coverage can up to +/- 90 degrees. In virtue of miniaturized size, wideband, low cost, and good beam-scanning ability, the presented element, and the resulting wide-angle beam-scanning array are promising candidates for wireless communication and low-cost phased array applications.

Automated summary

This study presents a novel miniaturized, broadband dielectric resonator antenna designed for low-cost wide-angle beam-scanning applications. By loading a mushroom structure on the antenna, it achieves a reduced size, broadened bandwidth, and dual-mode response. The introduction of miniaturized equal-amplitude and out-of-phase Huygens sources widens its beamwidth.