Performance optimization of a 60 GHz Antenna-on-Chip over an Artificial Magnetic Conductor

Abstract

This paper presents an optimization methodology for a 60 GHz triangular monopole Antenna-on-Chip (AOC), designed using a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process and optimized over a Jerusalem Cross Artificial Magnetic Conductor (JC-AMC). The JC-AMC acts as a shield between the AOC and the lossy CMOS substrate. Different configurations of JC-AMC cells are tested to acquire best AOC performance. It has been found that increasing the number of JC-AMC cells in the feeding direction and decreasing its number of cells in the direction perpendicular to the feed can improve the antenna characteristics in terms of gain, efficiency, front-to-back ratio, and small area.