Apparatus and methods for packaging integrated circuit chips with antenna modules providing closed electromagnetic environment for integrated antennas

Apparatus and methods are provided for packaging IC chips together with integrated antenna modules designed to provide a closed EM (electromagnetic) environment for antenna radiators, thereby allowing antennas to be designed independent from the packaging technology

Antenna-on-chip and antenna-in-package solutions to highly-integrated millimeter-wave devices for wireless communications

Antenna-on-chip (AoC) and antenna-in-package (AiP) solutions are studied for highly integrated millimeter-wave (mmWave) devices in wireless communications. First, the background, regulations, standard, and applications of 60-GHz wireless communications are briefly introduced. Then, highly integrated 60-GHz radios are overviewed as a basis for the link budget analysis to derive the antenna gain requirement. Next, in order to have deep physical insight into the AoC solution, the silicon substrate’s high permittivity and low resistivity effects on the AoC efficiency are examined. It is shown that the AoC solution has low efficiency, less than 12% due to large ohmic losses and surface waves, which requires the development of techniques to improve the AoC efficiency. After that, the AiP solution and associated challenges such as how to realize low-loss interconnection between the chip and antenna are addressed. It is shown that wire-bonding interconnects, although inferior to the flip-chip, are still feasible in the 60-GHz band if proper compensation schemes are utilized. An example of the AiP solution in a low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) process is presented in the 60-GHz band showing an efficiency better than 90%. A major concern with both AoC and AiP solutions is electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is also discussed. Finally, the systems level pros and cons of both AoC and AiP solutions are highlighted from the electrical and economic perspectives for system designers.Published versio

Integration of array antennas in chip package for 60-GHz radios

This paper discusses the integration of array antennas in chip packages for highly integrated 60-GHz radios. First, we evaluate fixed-beam array antennas, showing that most of them suffer from feed network complexity and require sophisticated process techniques to achieve enhanced performance. We describe the grid array antenna and show that is a good choice for fixed-beam array antenna applications due to its easy feed network design and manufacture. Then, we examine switched-beam array antennas using the Rotman lens or Butter matrix, illustrating that they allow scanning only in one plane and some miss a link even in the boresight direction. Nevertheless, a switched-beam array antenna uses a conceptually simple switch circuit to select the best signal path and may be a cost-effective approach to implementing steerable antennas in the 60-GHz band. Finally, we describe adaptive beam or phased array antennas and highlight the challenges and practical realizations of phased array antennas in both ceramic and organic chip packages for single-chip 60-GHz radios

Packages with integrated 60-GHZ aperture-coupled patch antennas

This paper presents balanced-fed and fork-fed aperture-coupled patch antennas and 16-element arrays suitable for broadband millimeter-wave communications. The antennas are realized in a multi-layer organic package structure, to which RF integrated circuits can be integrated. To improve antenna bandwidth and radiation efficiency, an air cavity is used, resulting in a superstrate planar patch-antenna structure. Additionally, resonating apertures are used to further increase the antenna bandwidth. Measured results at 60 GHz for the antennas show good performance in terms of peak gain (about 8 dBi for a single element and 17 dBi for a 16-element array), bandwidth ( >; 10 GHz for 10-dB return loss bandwidths are achievable), and radiation efficiency (80% for single-element from simulation)

Packages with integrated 60-GHZ aperture-coupled patch antennas

This paper presents balanced-fed and fork-fed aperture-coupled patch antennas and 16-element arrays suitable for broadband millimeter-wave communications. The antennas are realized in a multi-layer organic package structure, to which RF integrated circuits can be integrated. To improve antenna bandwidth and radiation efficiency, an air cavity is used, resulting in a superstrate planar patch-antenna structure. Additionally, resonating apertures are used to further increase the antenna bandwidth. Measured results at 60 GHz for the antennas show good performance in terms of peak gain (about 8 dBi for a single element and 17 dBi for a 16-element array), bandwidth ( >; 10 GHz for 10-dB return loss bandwidths are achievable), and radiation efficiency (80% for single-element from simulation)

What will 5G Antennas and Propagation Be?

Fifth-generation wireless technology, denoted as “5G” by the global wireless communications industry, seeks to accomplish multi-fold increases in key aspects of wireless communication. In conjunction with conventional microwave frequencies, millimeter-wave (mmWave) and THz frequencies and technologies are being investigated by major research institutions and industry. Deliberations are underway by regulatory officials around the world to authorize mmWave and sub-THz spectrum for 5G fixed and mobile applications. In the development of 5G communication systems, new propagation phenomena, novel multi-antenna transmitting architectures, and new mmWave operating frequency bands using much wider channel bandwidths than ever before are proving to be extremely effective ways to dramatically increase the communication data rate of future mobile communication networks. The papers in this special issue offer extensive insights and promising results that address many of the technical challenges that must be solved to usher in the 5G era.111sciescopu

Guest Editorial for the Special Issue on Antennas and Propagation at mm- and Sub mm-Waves

International audienc

Handbook of antenna technologies

The Handbook of Antenna Technologies aims to present the rapid development of antenna technologies, particularly in the past two decades, and also showcasing the newly developed technologies and the latest applications. The handbook will provide readers with the comprehensive updated reference information covering theory, modeling and optimization methods, design and measurement, new electromagnetic materials, and applications of antennas. The handbook will widely cover not only all key antenna design issues but also fundamentals, issues related to antennas (transmission, propagation, feeding structure, materials, fabrication, measurement, system, and unique design challenges in specific applications). This handbook will benefit the readers as a full and quick technical reference with a high-level historic review of technology, detailed technical descriptions and the latest practical applications