Design and Performance Analysis of Dielectric Resonator Antenna Array for 5G mm-Wave Ground-Based Navigation and Wireless Applications

This paper proposes a dielectric resonator antenna with resonance frequencies 26.32 and 36.08 GHz in the 24–40 GHz range with 40 × 40 mm² dimensions, respectively. The feeding technique is integrated with the Concentric circular ring with four arcs, a meander line, and a four-way power divider. This integration significantly enhances antenna performance, manifesting in superior radiation properties, increased gain, enhanced directivity, and resonating behavior concerning the proposed array antenna integrated with arc-shaped metamaterial element fractal antennae, respectively. The proposed array antenna exhibits peak directivities ranging from 9.2 to 9.78 dB at resonant frequencies of 26.32 and 36.08 GHz for different angles (Phi = 0°, Phi = 90°, Theta = 90°), respectively. The proposed design shows a significant current distribution through a combination of a concentric circular ring with four arcs, a meander line, and a four-way power divider feeding technique, enhancing radiation characteristic. They feature comprehensive beam scanning and pencil beam properties, ideal for advanced 5G mm-wave communication, with maximum return losses of 24.7 dB and 43.2 dB concerning resonance frequencies, respectively. The covered bandwidths include 24.4–26.9 GHz, 35.5–39.97 GHz, compatible with 5G NR bands n257, n258, n259, n260, and n261, and ground-based radio navigation applications. The proposed results are validated through CST software simulations and with using a vector network analyzer, spectrum analyzer, and vector signal analyzer, Power sensor in presence of absorber, respectively.