SOP Integration and Codesign of Antennas

Abstract

The successful deployment of wireless systems requires the integration of small, cost-effective antennas while preserving a reasonable electrical performance in the required bandwidth. This paper begins with a short overview of the most important antenna characteristics, and then uses these to describe the minimum requirements and fundamental performance-size limits for electrically small integrated antennas. The performance-size tradeoff is further illustrated by the design of a planar integrated antenna for WLAN. Codesign guidelines are given to avoid parasitic coupling between the integrated antenna and RF circuits. A concluding comparison is made between on-chip and on-package integration of a small antenna for microwave and millimeter wave systems.