60 GHz Phased Array Simulation & Design Using XFdtd for WiGig

In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in wireless data requirements, resulting in a demand for high bandwidth, multi-Gbps, and short-range wireless applications. Efforts by consortiums, such as Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig) and IEEE 802.11ad, to establish a 60 GHz wireless ecosystem would increase consumer product development for this market exponentially. To achieve such high throughput systems, high-gain phased array antennas would be desirable for achieving higher spatial coverage. 

In this MicroApps from IMS 2020, we discuss analyzing and optimizing an aperture coupled 1x4 patch antenna array with a compact, fan-shaped feeding network for operation in 60 GHz band using Remcom’s full-wave electromagnetic simulation product, XFdtd 3D EM Simulation. We also demonstrate superposition and antenna array optimization. The superposition phased array simulation provides a means for checking the performance of individual elements in an array, each with a different input power and phase. The array optimization feature allows users to estimate the excitation for each element in the array for a specified EIRP. Further, the total spatial coverage of designed phased arrays will be accurately estimated.