Implementational Aspects of Various Feeding Techniques for mmWave 5G Antennas

Future wireless communication systems need to be redesigned for millimeter wave carrier frequencies to accommodate higher bandwidth applications. The free space power loss for higher frequencies is higher compared to the sub-6 GHz commercial wireless systems. One of the approaches to realize a feasible data link is to design and deploy high gain antennas on the transceivers responsible for communication. To design high gain antennas with small form factor, it is important to closely consider the feeding technique of the antenna. In this article, various aspects of numerous feeding techniques are illustrated. Initially, a generic layout of the specific feeding method is explained followed by the nuances of feeding line design for a range of commonly available substrates. A comparison of different feeding techniques is also presented, followed by the merits and demerits of the respective feeding technique in the context of 28 GHz based antennas. Various design examples published in the recent literature are also presented.