Large frequency tuning of a millimeter-wave antenna using dielectric liquids in integrated micro-channels

Abstract

In this work, investigation has been made of a planar millimeter wave antenna on microtluidic channels which allow a very large resonance frequency tuning up to 51 % (from 16.8 to 28.4 GHz). A microstrip antenna lays over a 12 mil (300 11m) thick liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate in which two micro-channels are drilled to be filled with different dielectric liquids (water, ethanol, methanol, acetone). The two channels are strategically placed under the radiating edges of the patch antenna where the electric field is the strongest. Thus, by changing the liquid in the channels, the equivalent permittivity of the multilayer structure is locally modified and the resonant frequency of the antenna is strongly tuned.

A Review on Reconfigurable Liquid Dielectric Antennas

“…In Reference [83], a similar idea was realized on a patch antenna with two microfluidic channels placed near the patch edges. By changing the type of liquid (among water, acetone, methanol, and ethanol) inside the channels, frequency tuning was realized from 16.8 GHz to 28.4 GHz.…”

“…The radiation efficiency is relatively low, however, if acetone is used instead of water, the radiation efficiency can be improved [85]. [82,83], (c) [84], (d) [85], (e) [86].…”

Computational investigation of power efficient plasma‐based reconfigurable microstrip antenna

“…Our proposed antenna consists of microplasma elements created along the radiating edges within the air substrate. Such region has also been considered for achieving tunability in millimetre-wave antenna using dielectric liquids in micro-channels [28].…”