Multi-Beam Conformal Array Antenna Based on Highly Conductive Graphene Films for 5G Micro Base Station Applications

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Wireless Communication

Background:

• Micro base station antennas are crucial for 5G, smart medical care, IoT, and portable devices.
• Graphene films offer low carbon impact and high conductivity, making them suitable for antenna applications.
• There is a growing need for lightweight, compact antennas for conformal platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a conformal array antenna based on highly conductive graphene films (CGF) for 5G millimeter-wave (MMW) applications.
• To evaluate the antenna's performance in terms of gain, bandwidth, and beam-pointing capabilities.
• To demonstrate the suitability of CGF for MMW micro base station antennas.

Main Methods:

• Designed a conformal array antenna with three arrays, each having eight patch elements operating at 24 GHz with linear polarization.
• Synthesized the current amplitude distribution coefficient for each array using the Chebyshev method for series-feeding.
• Conducted measurements to validate the antenna's performance characteristics.

Main Results:

• The CGF antenna achieved a peak realized gain exceeding 8 dBi within the 23.0-24.7 GHz bandwidth.
• Demonstrated three independent beams from bore-sight to ±37° in conformal installations (30 mm cylinder radius).
• Showcased excellent beam-pointing performance suitable for conformal carrier platforms.

Conclusions:

• The proposed CGF antenna meets the requirements for lightweight and compact MMW micro base station antennas.
• Highly conductive graphene films are a viable material for advanced 5G antenna designs.
• The antenna's conformal nature and beam control capabilities are beneficial for future wireless systems.