Low-Cost 3D-Printed 240 GHz Plastic Lens fed by Integrated Antenna in Organic Substrate Targeting Sub-THz High Data Rate Wireless Links

摘要

Millimeter-wave and sub-THz low-cost antenna systems are hot topics in order to increase data rates. At these frequencies, quasi-optical antennas are often required to increase achievable gains and therefore link range. At 60 GHz and up-to 140 GHz, low-cost ABS-plastic lenses fabricated in 3D printing technology were successfully demonstrated. In this paper, the same approach is presented in the 215-240 GHz band. For the first time, an integrated antenna in organic substrate is used as a feed in order to illuminate a 3D-printed ABS-plastic lens. A co-design between those two elements was performed, a gain increase of ～11 dB is then achieved for a lens diameter of 9 mm. A peak gain of 18 dBi has been measured at 235 GHz.