Millimeter-wave multi-mode circular antenna array for uni-cast multi-cast and OAM communication

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Wireless Communications
• Antenna Theory

Background:

• The demand for higher data rates and spectral efficiency in wireless communication systems is increasing.
• Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) multiplexing offers a promising approach to enhance capacity by utilizing spatially orthogonal modes.
• Current antenna technologies face challenges in simultaneously supporting diverse communication schemes like multicast and OAM transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate a novel circular antenna array capable of simultaneous uni-/multi-cast and OAM mode data transmission.
• To investigate the antenna's performance at 28 GHz for potential 5G and beyond applications.
• To achieve high spectral efficiency through orthogonal transmission methods.

Main Methods:

• Design of a circular antenna array using twelve electromagnetically coupled microstrip patch antennas.
• Utilizing orthogonal electric components for simultaneous horizontal (broadside) and vertical (endfire) radiation patterns.
• Full-wave electromagnetic analysis and experimental measurements for validation.

Main Results:

• The proposed antenna array operates effectively at 28 GHz, supporting both uni-/multi-cast in the horizontal plane and OAM modes in the vertical plane.
• Demonstrated capability to generate up to 15 spatially orthogonal OAM modes.
• Achieved realized gains of 8.65 dBi for uni-cast and 6.48 dBi for OAM modes.
• Good agreement between simulated and measured results for impedance matching, mutual coupling, and radiation patterns.

Conclusions:

• The developed circular antenna array is a viable solution for high spectral efficiency data transmission.
• It effectively integrates uni-/multi-cast and OAM multiplexing capabilities.
• The antenna is well-suited for future wireless applications demanding orthogonal communication links and advanced multiplexing techniques.