Beam-steering array for handheld devices targeting 5G

In this paper, we present an array design for an implementation of a mobile terminal targeted for the fifth generation mobile communication network (5G). The design has a compact low loss array element printed on a low loss dielectric. To obtain a back lobe radiation, the ground plane is etched under the array elements and a parasitic scatterer is used to manipulate the gain pattern of the dipole in order to improve the peak gain. The array is placed on the top edge of the PCB in an 8 element array configuration. The design is evaluated using simulations and the simulated realized gain is 11.6 dBi at boresight, the array has a bandwidth of 1 GHz around 28 GHz with a good beam steering characteristics. About 80% of all the achievable angles for the incoming power distribution are covered with a gain better than 5 dB. Noteworthy is that a fine resolution of 15 degrees steps have been chosen for the phase shifters in the beamforming network.