Three-dimensional printed ABS plastic peanut-lens with integrated ball grid array module for high-data-rate communications in F-band

Abstract

A ball grid array (BGA) module integrated within a three-dimensional printed peanut-shaped lens is proposed for high-data-rate wireless communications in the F-band (116–140 GHz) between a video camera and a TV or a laptop. The module implements a 1?×?2 array antenna which radiates a wide beam in the horizontal plane (H-plane) and a narrower beam in the vertical plane (E-plane). The dielectric lens, fabricated in ABS-M30 plastic, is a shaped lens designed to achieve a fan-beam radiation pattern further narrowing the vertical plane and widening the horizontal plane of the BGA module. The realised gain of the full antenna system is required to exceed 5?dBi within a 120° angular interval in the horizontal plane and a 20° angular interval in the vertical plane. Measurements show a reflection coefficient below ?9?dB from 116 to 140?GHz and a maximum realised gain of 8.5?dBi at 130?GHz demonstrating feasibility of the cost-effective proposed design for a high-data-rate communications.