Omnidirectional bond-wire array antenna for 60 GHz wireless communication

Bond-wire antennas (BWAs) are an attractive concept for integrated radio front-ends at millimetre-wave frequencies, but have a relatively narrow radiation pattern that makes them less attractive for many applications. In this paper, a circular BWA array antenna concept is presented that has a broad and omnidirectional radiation pattern. The relationship between array geometry and the shape of the gain pattern has been extensively explored through a series of parametric simulations. A prototype was built and measured in order to verify simulation results. The main suggested cause for a difference between simulated and measured data are inaccuracies in the design and manufacturing process of the feed network.