Editor's Note
Guest Editor
Article List
2026, 24(6):641-649.
DOI: 10.11805/TKYDA2026031
Abstract:
Owing to its unique spectral characteristics, the terahertz(THz) frequency band demonstrates broad application prospects in high-resolution automotive radar, short-range high-data-rate communications, interstellar communications, and biomedical imaging. As a critical transmitting and receiving component in terahertz systems, antennas directly influence the system operating range and coverage. Current research on terahertz array antennas primarily focuses on enhancing gain and efficiency, broadening bandwidth, and beam scanning. This paper reviews the current development status and challenges of terahertz array antennas in terms of their key performance metrics, discusses recent advances in wideband high-gain antennas, beam-steering antennas, large-scale MIMO arrays, and on-chip integrated antennas, and presents an antenna array design methodology based on the Maximum Power Transfer Efficiency(MMPTE) method along with its unique advantages in terahertz antenna design, aiming to provide insights for the further advancement of terahertz array antennas.
Owing to its unique spectral characteristics, the terahertz(THz) frequency band demonstrates broad application prospects in high-resolution automotive radar, short-range high-data-rate communications, interstellar communications, and biomedical imaging. As a critical transmitting and receiving component in terahertz systems, antennas directly influence the system operating range and coverage. Current research on terahertz array antennas primarily focuses on enhancing gain and efficiency, broadening bandwidth, and beam scanning. This paper reviews the current development status and challenges of terahertz array antennas in terms of their key performance metrics, discusses recent advances in wideband high-gain antennas, beam-steering antennas, large-scale MIMO arrays, and on-chip integrated antennas, and presents an antenna array design methodology based on the Maximum Power Transfer Efficiency(MMPTE) method along with its unique advantages in terahertz antenna design, aiming to provide insights for the further advancement of terahertz array antennas.
2026, 24(6):650-656.
DOI: 10.11805/TKYDA2025247
Abstract:
The research of miniaturized shared-aperture base station antennas that integrate Multiple Bands and Multiple Arrays(MBMA) have become the main research trend in current base station antenna industry. However, in the process of miniaturizing MBMA antennas, the spacing between radiators of each band is extremely compressed, the resulting electromagnetic coupling induces significant radiation pattern distortion. This paper presents a low-band shared-aperture base station antenna design with wideband scattering suppression characteristics. By integrating split-ring resonator structures on the low-band antenna radiator, the coupling high-band currents can be neutralized, thereby the influence on the high-band's radiation pattern is reduced. The experimental results show that the proposed low-band antenna element has good electrical and radiation performance in the 617~960 MHz band, achieving an impedance bandwidth of 43.5%, in-band polarization isolation of 25 dB and an average gain of (8.0±0.5) dBi. Moreover, pattern distortion in the high-band is effectively avoided, test results show that the proposed antenna exhibits excellent scattering suppression in the 1 700~2 700 MHz band. In conclusion, the proposed shared-aperture dual-band design has improved the performance in both low-band and high-band, and has high application value in MBMA base station antenna design.
The research of miniaturized shared-aperture base station antennas that integrate Multiple Bands and Multiple Arrays(MBMA) have become the main research trend in current base station antenna industry. However, in the process of miniaturizing MBMA antennas, the spacing between radiators of each band is extremely compressed, the resulting electromagnetic coupling induces significant radiation pattern distortion. This paper presents a low-band shared-aperture base station antenna design with wideband scattering suppression characteristics. By integrating split-ring resonator structures on the low-band antenna radiator, the coupling high-band currents can be neutralized, thereby the influence on the high-band's radiation pattern is reduced. The experimental results show that the proposed low-band antenna element has good electrical and radiation performance in the 617~960 MHz band, achieving an impedance bandwidth of 43.5%, in-band polarization isolation of 25 dB and an average gain of (8.0±0.5) dBi. Moreover, pattern distortion in the high-band is effectively avoided, test results show that the proposed antenna exhibits excellent scattering suppression in the 1 700~2 700 MHz band. In conclusion, the proposed shared-aperture dual-band design has improved the performance in both low-band and high-band, and has high application value in MBMA base station antenna design.
2026, 24(6):657-661.
DOI: 10.11805/TKYDA2025272
Abstract:
To meet the integration demands of modern electronic information systems for diverse radio functions such as detection, communication, navigation and jamming, this paper presents the design of an Super-Wideband(SWB) monopole antenna. Based on an annular monopole structure, triangular elements are loaded and subjected to multiple iterations and slotting to extend the antenna's low-frequency operating bandwidth. To mitigate the impedance matching degradation at certain frequency points after iteration, a pair of inverted L-shaped parasitic elements are loaded on both sides of the microstrip line, while rectangular slots are introduced at the end of the feeding structure. Simulation results demonstrate that the antenna achieves an operating bandwidth of 0.8~30 GHz, corresponding to a fractional bandwidth of approximately 190%. The antenna attains a peak gain of 8.5 dBi, with the gain remaining above 0 dBi across the entire frequency band. This design significantly reduces system complexity in multi-antenna configurations while achieving multifunctional co-use within a single antenna system.
To meet the integration demands of modern electronic information systems for diverse radio functions such as detection, communication, navigation and jamming, this paper presents the design of an Super-Wideband(SWB) monopole antenna. Based on an annular monopole structure, triangular elements are loaded and subjected to multiple iterations and slotting to extend the antenna's low-frequency operating bandwidth. To mitigate the impedance matching degradation at certain frequency points after iteration, a pair of inverted L-shaped parasitic elements are loaded on both sides of the microstrip line, while rectangular slots are introduced at the end of the feeding structure. Simulation results demonstrate that the antenna achieves an operating bandwidth of 0.8~30 GHz, corresponding to a fractional bandwidth of approximately 190%. The antenna attains a peak gain of 8.5 dBi, with the gain remaining above 0 dBi across the entire frequency band. This design significantly reduces system complexity in multi-antenna configurations while achieving multifunctional co-use within a single antenna system.
2026, 24(6):662-667.
DOI: 10.11805/TKYDA2026003
Abstract:
To meet the requirements of next-generation wireless communication systems, a wideband electromagnetic metamaterial antenna is proposed. A metamaterial composed of hexagonal unit cells combined with inductive stubs serves as the radiator, which, compared to the conventional quadrilateral patch cell structure, offers higher coupling capacitance and longer current paths, thereby achieving wideband design objectives. To ensure high directivity in complex electromagnetic environments during practical applications, an additional metal ground plane is introduced at the bottom of the antenna, with Polymethacrylimide(PMI) foam filling the space between this metal ground and the main ground plane. A coplanar waveguide feeding structure is adopted, eliminating one dielectric substrate layer and resulting in a simpler, more fabrication-friendly design. The final antenna dimensions are merely 48 mm×48 mm×15.1 mm(0.473λL×0.473λL×0.149λL, where λL is the wavelength corresponding to the lowest operating frequency). Measurement results demonstrate that the antenna achieves an impedance bandwidth of 41.1%(2.96~4.49 GHz) for Voltage Standing Wave Ratio(VSWR)<2, with a gain ranging from 4.5 to 7.3 dBi across the operating band and favorable directional radiation characteristics.
To meet the requirements of next-generation wireless communication systems, a wideband electromagnetic metamaterial antenna is proposed. A metamaterial composed of hexagonal unit cells combined with inductive stubs serves as the radiator, which, compared to the conventional quadrilateral patch cell structure, offers higher coupling capacitance and longer current paths, thereby achieving wideband design objectives. To ensure high directivity in complex electromagnetic environments during practical applications, an additional metal ground plane is introduced at the bottom of the antenna, with Polymethacrylimide(PMI) foam filling the space between this metal ground and the main ground plane. A coplanar waveguide feeding structure is adopted, eliminating one dielectric substrate layer and resulting in a simpler, more fabrication-friendly design. The final antenna dimensions are merely 48 mm×48 mm×15.1 mm(0.473λL×0.473λL×0.149λL, where λL is the wavelength corresponding to the lowest operating frequency). Measurement results demonstrate that the antenna achieves an impedance bandwidth of 41.1%(2.96~4.49 GHz) for Voltage Standing Wave Ratio(VSWR)<2, with a gain ranging from 4.5 to 7.3 dBi across the operating band and favorable directional radiation characteristics.
2026, 24(6):668-674.
DOI: 10.11805/TKYDA2025037
Abstract:
Based on a tile architecture, a highly integrated Ku-band active phased array antenna capable of ±70° beam scanning is designed. The active phased array consists of a microstrip patch panel array antenna, transmit/receive(T/R)modules, beam control and feed networks, and heat sinks. The T/R modules are designed in a tile configuration, with each channel capable of simultaneously prestoring amplitude and phase compensation codes for both the receive and transmit branches. Compared with traditional brick-type T/R modules, this design significantly reduces the dimension along the RF signal propagation direction while achieving monolithic integration of 128 channels, thereby realizing miniaturization, lightweight, and high reliability. The antenna array adopts a triangular lattice arrangement, which improves the gain by approximately 1 dB at a 60° scan angle compared with conventional rectangular lattice structures. This active phased array also features the advantages of low profile, thin and lightweight design, and simple assembly/disassembly.
Based on a tile architecture, a highly integrated Ku-band active phased array antenna capable of ±70° beam scanning is designed. The active phased array consists of a microstrip patch panel array antenna, transmit/receive(T/R)modules, beam control and feed networks, and heat sinks. The T/R modules are designed in a tile configuration, with each channel capable of simultaneously prestoring amplitude and phase compensation codes for both the receive and transmit branches. Compared with traditional brick-type T/R modules, this design significantly reduces the dimension along the RF signal propagation direction while achieving monolithic integration of 128 channels, thereby realizing miniaturization, lightweight, and high reliability. The antenna array adopts a triangular lattice arrangement, which improves the gain by approximately 1 dB at a 60° scan angle compared with conventional rectangular lattice structures. This active phased array also features the advantages of low profile, thin and lightweight design, and simple assembly/disassembly.
