A Dual-Polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Array Based on Printed Ridge Gap Waveguide With Dual-Polarized Split-Ring Resonator Lens

Abstract

In this article, a 1x4 dual-polarized magnetoelectric (ME) dipole antenna array is proposed. The antenna is excited by a dual-polarized fork-shaped microstrip line based on printed ridge gap waveguide technology. To achieve additional gain, a dual-polarized split-ring resonator (SRR) is designed, which has a mu-near zero (MNZ) feature. This scatterer works as a meta-lens to convert the radiated spherical wave to a plane wave for both polarizations. Integrating four layers of the proposed inclusions on top of the ME dipole antenna results in an increase in the antenna gain by a maximum of 3 dB. The proposed 1 x 4 antenna array was fabricated and tested, and the measured reflection coefficient at Port 1 is less than -10 dB over the frequency band of 28-35 GHz, while the measured realized gain varies from 14.3 to 15.4 dBi, and the measured radiation efficiency varies from 78% to 88%. The measured reflection coefficient at Port 2 for the orthogonal polarization is less than -8 dB over the frequency band of 28-35 GHz, with a measured gain of 14.8-16 dBi, and the measured radiation efficiency varies from 81% to 90%.