Background

The ever-increasing demand for high performance communication systems has motivated the shift of wireless systems towards the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) range. At these relatively high frequencies, microstrip antennas suffer from high conductor and substrate losses resulting in the deterioration of the antenna radiation efficiency. The replacement of the lossy planar metallic antennas with high permittivity Dielectric Resonator Antennas (DRAs) is considered a good solution to this problem.

Technology Overview

This technology is a design and manufacturing process for a 3D MEMS multimode (dipole/monopole) antenna. This antenna technology is based on MEMS technology and is thus suitable for monolithic integration with a driving circuit, and offers good microwave performance at 77 GHz.

The antenna can be manufactured from a single silicon wafer, without any need for wafer bonding or hybrid integration. Cost savings are realized by the need for only three steps in the process flow.

The antenna is fabricated using bulk micromachining. The antenna could be manufactured from a single silicon wafer that is coated on both sides with oxide, where the antenna is etched from the top and bottom surfaces to define the antenna components. The antenna can be made to function in dipole or monopole modes, depending on the excitation port.

Benefits

Good microwave performance at 60-77 GHz Range
Low cost due to simplicity in fabrication process (only 3 steps)
Switchable antenna mode feature (monopole/dipole)

Applications

Based on MEMS technology, this invention has various applications in:

auto-collision detectors
monopulse radars for target tracking
law enforcement, i.e., speed violation detection

Besides radar, the proposed technology can also apply to any high frequency point-to-many points wireless communication system.

Opportunity

Available for exclusive and non-exclusive licensing
Exclusive/non-exclusive evaluation for defined period (set up for options).
Collaborative/supportive research

MEMS Dipole/Monopole Antenna for Wireless Systems

Patents

IP Status

Seeking