High Gain Diagonally-Probe-Fed Multi-Layered Dielectric Resonator Antenna Array for 77 GHz Automotive Radar Applications

This paper presents a high gain diagonally-probe-fed multi-layered dielectric resonator antenna (DPF-ML-DRA) designed for 77 GHz automotive radar applications. A comparison with the conventional probe-fed ML-DRA demonstrates that the proposed DPF-ML-DRA achieves higher antenna gain by 1 dB. The sub-array utilizing the proposed DPF-ML-DRA is tailored to meet specific radar system requirements, including a broad impedance bandwidth (> 5 GHz), high antenna gain (> 12 dBi), and wide half-power beamwidth (> ± 60°). Simulated results validate that the sub-array performance meets the aforementioned antenna requirements. To attain high azimuthal and elevational angular detecting resolution, 3 sub-arrays with 12 DF-ML-DRA for the Tx channel and 4 sub-arrays with 10 DF-ML-DRA for the Rx channel were designed and simulated. The fabricated radar system underwent field testing, demonstrating a maximum range of up to 160 m and a field of view of 120° for 100 m. Remarkably, the proposed DPF-ML-DRA exhibits equivalent radar performance while featuring a smaller form-factor compared to commercially available state-of-the-art automotive radar systems. Consequently, the proposed DPF-ML-DRA proves to be well-suited for 77 GHz automotive radar applications.