High gain lens antennas for 71–86 GHz point-to-point applications

In this paper design of integrated lens antennas (ILA) dedicated for 71-86 GHz point-to-point applications is presented. The specific antenna requirements for these applications are a narrow beam width typically on the order of 1-2 degrees and consequently high gain of 35-43 dBi. Conformance to these requirements necessitates the use of large lenses with the diameters of 30-60 free space wavelengths (~120-240 mm for 71-86 GHz band). The paper presents the numerical simulations and experimental investigations results for teflon lenses with the diameters of 120 mm and 246 mm. The designed lenses provide the gain of 37 and 43 dBi and the half power beam width below 2° and 1° correspondingly. The antennas can be used for point-to-point millimeter wave communications systems at the distances of more than 1-3 km. The performed investigation of scanning properties of the lens antennas confirms that electronic beam steering can be implemented in the considered point-to-point communication systems to automatically compensate swings and twists of the installation masts and to simplify the initial beam alignment procedure.