A 79-GHz LTCC patch array antenna using a low-loss ceramic tape

Abstract

This paper presents a 79-GHz microstrip patch array antenna in a low-temperature co-fired ceramics technology. The ceramic tape used has a low loss tangent (0.0013 at 79 GHz), a good shrinkage-control (with zero-shrinkage process), and it also enables a photolithographic process for the outside layers of metallization. To verify the performance of this material system for applications at 79 GHz, an array antenna was designed with a simulated radiation efficiency of 81% (at the antenna feedingpoint). A hybrid feeding-network was chosen for the antenna. On the top layer the microstrip patch antennas were used as the radiating elements (with two layers of ceramic tapes as the substrate). They were connected by the microstrip lines (seriesfeed). A via guard-ring helps to suppress parasitic surface waves due to the thick substrate. A vertically oriented power divider (parallel-feed) keeps the main-beam direction constant in a given frequency bandwidth. The simulated and the measured halfpower beamwidths are 9 • and 70 • in the E-plane and H-plane, respectively. The measured bandwidth of 10-dB return loss is around 4 GHz. The measured antenna gain (at WR12-flange) is 15.4 dBi. This antenna has a geometry of 28 mm×3.2 mm×1.2 mm and is suitable for 79 GHz middle/short range radar applications.

Proximity‐coupled feed patch antenna array for 79 GHz automotive radar

“…Focusing on the RF‐substrate, the ceramic material has several advantages over the traditional organic material, such as a silicon‐like thermal conductivity coefficient, a better mechanical stability, and it enables easy 3D‐integration [5]. Millimetre‐wave RF‐components in low temperature co‐fired ceramics (LTCC) technology have been widely investigated to broadband technology.…”

Feasibility of an automotive radar antenna at 77 GHz on LTCC substrate

“…The antennas used on the LTCC substrates have been widely investigated in the past few years and a couple of radar sensors based on this technology have been presented [11–15]. In this contribution, the feasibility of a MIMO LRR with the desirable narrow beam in elevation ( H ‐plane) and wide beam in Azimuth ( E ‐plane) is investigated.…”