This technology features a multi-band compact feed network composed of a dual-band phase shifter, branch-line coupler, and balanced crossover using CRLH metamaterial structures where left-handed and right-handed transmission waves coexist, along with a mini beam-scanning antenna connected to it. This feed circuit is implemented as a Butler matrix or Hadamard matrix to perform multi-beam formation.
Conventional phased array antennas are costly due to the use of active phase shifters, while multi-beam antennas using passive phase shifters are limited to single narrowbands. Butler matrices made with λ/4-series elements suffer from increased size and volume as they become multi-band, and exhibit poor reproducibility due to lumped-element loading.
This technology forms series and parallel inductances and capacitances using printed multilayer metamaterial structures, enabling the production of dual-band beam-forming circuits smaller than 0.25-wavelength series using low-cost PCB processes instead of expensive LTCC, CMOS, or MEMS processes. By integrating with various antennas such as monopole, patch, Vivaldi, and quad-ridge horn, it can be applied to vehicle communications, IoT, 5G mobile terminals, smart appliances, and 28/60/77GHz radar, allowing for compact, low-cost integration of multi-beam antennas that reduce interference between adjacent small cells.
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