Steerable Dual-band Planar Microstrip Phased Array Antenna for 3G and 4G Wireless Communication Systems

M. Ali Soliman(1)*,

W. Swelam(2),

Ali Gomaa (3),

T.E.Taha(4)

* m_soliman23@hotmail.com

Abstract In this paper, steerable planar microstrip dual-band phased array antenna is used to steer the main lobe beam on mobile device for directional transmission. By focusing the transmit power toward the right direction, beam-steering can not only improve SNR at the intended receiver but also reduces interfere to peer link, see Figure 1. Single U-slotted rectangular patch antenna element is used to build planar arrays antennas with 4x4 and 8x8 dimensions. More than +62 degrees for the 4x4 dimensions and +78 degrees for the 8x8 dimension are achieved for the mainlobe without the presence of any greeting lobes. Single element, linear sub-arrays with 1x2 and 1x4 dimensions of this patch antenna element was designed fabricated and measured by authors [1], [2]. The achieved array antennas are suitable for MIMO 3G and 4G different wireless mobile applications. 1. Introduction All existing and emerging wireless standards assume that their mobile clients are omni directional, radiating power toward all directions. Such omni directionality has become a critical barrier to not only network capacity but also the client efficiency as the number of mobile clients explodes [3]. Smart phones, NetBooks and ebook readers such as kindle and Apple iPad noticed that. MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) systems have been studied extensively during the recent years. It is clear from the theoretical point of view that the use of MIMO systems increases the capacity of transferred signal as compared to the use of SISO (Single Input Single Output) and SIMO (Single Input Multiple Output) systems [4].

Figure 1: The figure shows the direct beam-steering between the base-station BS and the mobile client MC over distance d.

4G handheld telephones, iphones, and other new compact cellular equipments recommend the use of small-scale, multi-band MIMO antennas [5]. Microstrip antenna type is preferable due to its easy fabrication, low cost, small-size, low weigh, integrate-ability and compatibility with standard manufacturing process [6]. The paper is constructed as follows. Section two shows the dual-band planar 4x4 U-slotted rectangular patch phased array antenna with more than + 62 degrees of beam-steering. Section three shows the dualband planar 8x8 U-slotted rectangular patch phased array antenna with more than + 78 degrees of beam-steering. Section four gives the conclusion.

(1) (2) (3) (4)

National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, Cairo, Egypt. patch phased array antenna: Egyptian Armed Forces. Shobraa Faculty of Engineering, Benha University, Cairo, Egypt. Faculty of Electronic Engineering, Menoufia University, Menouf, Egypt.

2 - Dual-band planar 4x4 U-slotted rectangular

2.1 Simulation and results Design simulation and optimization processes are carried out with the aid of the Advanced Design System (ADS) electromagnetic simulator that uses the fullwave Method of Moment (MoM) numerical technique [7]. Figure 2 shows the schematic of the compact dual-band planar 4x4 Uslotted rectangular patch phased array antenna with dimensions of 137.9x171.04mm. The separation between feeding points in both vertical and horizontal dimensions are optimized to avoid grating lobes. Figure 3 shows the reflection coefficients S11-S16 16 while Figure 4 shows the coupling coefficients between different patch antenna elements, both figures show that the results are better than -15dB at the dual band of interest, 3.5GHz and 5GHz. Figure 5 shows the 4x4 planar array gain which is better than 34 dBi at 3.5GHz.

Figure 5: The 4x4 planar array gain which is better than 34 dBi at 3.5GHz.

2.2 Beam steering Figure 6 shows different gain values to the main lobe of the 4x4 sub-array with beam steering at different angels. The steering is performed by changing phases of the elements feeding signals. Beam steering of +62 degrees could be achieved without any presence of the grating lobes. Table 1 shows the required phase shift difference () to shift the beam main lobe to the designated angle (). The table also shows the corresponding gain at this angle.

Figure 2: The compact dual-band planar 4x4 U-slotted rectangular patch phased array antenna with dimensions of 137.9x171.04mm.

Mag. (dB)

Figure 6: The 4x4 planar array beam steering.

Figure 3: The 4x4 planar array reflection coefficients S11S16 16.

Table.1 The required phase shift difference () to shift the beam main lobe to the designated angle ().
Phase shit difference () [degree]
Designated

Mag. (dB)

12.5

25

37.4

61.5

84.5

105.8

120.5

141.8

160

steer angle () [degree] Gain [dBi]

12

20

28

36

44

52

62

34.2

34.1

33.5

33.4

32.4

31.5

29.8

29.7

27.7

26.4

Figure 4: The 4x4 planar array coupling coefficients between different patch antenna array elements.

3Dual-band planar 8x8 U-slotted rectangular patch phased array Antenna: 3.1 Simulation and results: Figure 6 shows the schematic of the compact dualband planar 8x8 U-slotted rectangular patch phased array antenna with dimensions of 287 X 367 mm. Figure 7 shows the reflection coefficients S11-S64 64 while Figure 8 shows the coupling coefficients between different patch antenna elements, both figures show that the results are better than -15dB at the dual band of interest, 3.5GHz and 5GHz. Figure 9 shows the 8x8 planar array gain which is better than 45 dBi at 3.5GHz.

Figure 9: The 8x8 planar array gain which is better than 45 dBi at 3.5GHz.

3.2 Beam steering Figure 10 shows different gain values to the main lobe of the 8x8 sub-array with beam steering at different angels. The steering is performed by changing phases of the elements feeding signals. Beam steering of +78 degrees could be achieved without any presence of the grating lobes. Table 2 shows the required phase shift difference () to shift the beam main lobe to the designated angle (). The table also shows the corresponding gain at this angle.

Figure 6: The compact dual-band planar 8x8 U-slotted rectangular patch phased array antenna with dimensions of 287 X 367 mm.

Figure 7: The 8x8 planar array reflection coefficients S11S64 64.

Figure 10: The 8x8 planar array beam steering.

Table2: The required phase shift difference () to shift the beam main lobe to the designated angle ().
Mag. (dB)
Phase shit difference () [degree] 0 12.5 25 37.4 61.5 84.5
105.8 120.5 141.8

160

Freq (GHz)

Designated

Figure 8: The 8x8 planar array coupling coefficients between different patch antenna array elements.

steer angle () [degree] Gain [dBi]

14

28

32

42

48

64

78

45.8

45.8

45.7

33.4

43.7

42.2

41.5

40.2

35.8

35.9

4- Conclusion:
Beam-steering using planar microstrip dual-band phased array antenna is used to steer the main lobe beam on mobile device for directional transmission is not only feasible but also beneficial to mobile devices such as netbooks, eBook readers, and future smartphones. Focusing transmit power toward the right direction increases the SNR and suppressing interference to peers. A compact planar dual-band microstrip patch phased array antenna with dimensions of 4x4 and 8x8 are used to steer the main lobe beam to the required client at a designated angle. Client directionality through beam-steering is a radical departure from omni directionality assumed by current mobile network paradigms. The simulation results show that the reflection coefficients and coupling coefficients parameters between different patch array antenna elements are better than -15dB at the dual band of interest, 3.5GHz and 5GHz. The 4x4 planar array gain is better than 34 dBi and the 8x8 planar array gain is better than 45 dBi at 3.5GHz. More than +62 degrees for the 4x4 dimensions and +78 degrees for the 8x8 dimension are achieved for the main-lobe without the presence of any greeting lobes. The achieved array antennas are suitable for MIMO 3G and 4G different wireless mobile applications such as LTE and WLAN antenna systems. Military Technical College (MTC), Cairo, Egypt, 25-27 May 2010. [3] Hang Yu, Lin Zhong, and Ashutosh Sabharwal, Beamsteering on Mobile Devices: Network Capacity and Client Efficiency, Technical Report 06-23-2010, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005. G. J. Foschini, Layered space-time architecture for wireless communication in a fading environment when using multi-element antennas, Bell Labs Technical Journal, autumn 1996, pp. 41-59.

[4]

[5] Martin Sauter, Beyond 3G Bringing Networks, Terminals and the Web Together, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2009. [6] Constantine A. Balanis, Antenna Theory Analysis and Design, Third Edition, by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2005. [7] Advanced Design System, "2008 Momentum Software Manual", Agilent Technologies, CA: Palo Alto, 2008.

References
[1] W. Swelam, M. Ali Soliman, Ali Gomaa, T. E. Taha, Compact Dual-Band Microstrip Patch Array Antenna for MIMO 4G Communication Systems", in the proceeding of the 2010 IEEE Antennas & Propagation Symp., (IEEE APS/URSI 2010), Toronto, Canada, July 11-17, 2010. [2] M. Ali Soliman, W. Swelam, Ali Gomaa, T. E. Taha, Design, Simulation and Implementation of a Compact Dual-Band Microstrip Patch Array Antenna for MIMO 4G LTE and WLAN Systems", in the proceeding of 7th International Conference on Electric Engineering (2010 ICEENG-7), during the 5th International Scientific Conference of the Military Technical College (ISC-MTC-5), pp.EE193-1 EE193-13,