The University of Delaware passes XJet’s ceramics3D printingTechnology, developed a complex beamforming passive antenna lens for 5G communications.In this issue, I will continue to discuss this application and share the challenges in the development of this new beamforming antenna lens, as well as the University of Delaware’s3D printingThe results obtained in the development of the antenna lens.
Xjet CEO Dror Danai introduces ceramic 5G antenna3D printingTechnology
Reduce energy loss and improve beam control ability
l MIMO technology
5G is the abbreviation of fifth-generation mobile communication technology, and 5G communication means that the communication frequency is increased to the 5GHz range. 5G will provide higher spectrum and energy efficiency while minimizing system delays. Unlike previous technologies, 5G includes several different frequency bands. Among them, the population using lower frequency bands below 6 GHz is large and the available bandwidth is limited. Therefore, in order to meet the requirements of 5G, many countries have approved several frequency bands of millimeter wave, including: 24 GHz to 29.5 GHz, 37 GHz to 42.5 GHz, 47.2 GHz to 48.2 GHz and 64 to 71 GHz. my country’s 5G initial intermediate frequency bands are 3.3-3.6GHz and 4.8-5GHz two frequency bands, 24.75-27.5GHz, 37-42.5GHz high-frequency bands are under development; and 28GHz is mainly used internationally for testing.
The biggest advantage of millimeter waves is the fast propagation speed, and the biggest disadvantages that follow are poor penetration and large attenuation. The millimeter wave frequency band provides a huge opportunity to establish reliable communication links for cellular applications. The millimeter wave frequency band can provide wider bandwidth, compact antenna size and smaller size. However, the millimeter wave frequency band technology also has many challenges, such as high atmospheric signal attenuation, shadows, and high cost of system components. The attenuation of millimeter wave signals mainly depends on the propagation distance, weather conditions and operating frequency. Shadows are another important source of signal loss. These losses pose a challenge to antenna development, and at the same time require the development of efficient, steerable and high-gain antennas, so as to overcome these losses and establish high-quality communication links at millimeter wave frequencies.
The array-based multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology doubles the number of base station antennas, far exceeding the antennas used by mobile terminals, thereby greatly improving the communication spectrum efficiency. MIMO technology is a relatively important technology in 5G communication. According to the related requirements of mino technology, the antenna of 5G mobile communication should have technical characteristics such as high gain, miniaturization, wide frequency band and high isolation to meet the high transmission rate of 5G communication. Intelligent beam shaping, beam energy gathering and other functions.
Due to the high cost of components such as phase shifters in the system design, the development of 5G millimeter wave base station antennas and RF front-end solutions with high gain and beam control functions is very complicated and expensive. In the manufacture of 5G millimeter wave antennas, a cost-effective way to produce antenna base stations is needed. The shift from mechanically controllable active phased array to passive components will reduce the production cost of antenna technology and subsequently reduce maintenance requirements.
l 5G beam shaping lens
3D printing5G beamforming passive antenna lens
Researchers at the University of Delaware tried XJet’s ceramic nanojet3D printingTechnology and developed a new passive lens antenna. The lens antenna can be installed on top of a series of small antenna feeds, and the antenna feed array is connected to the beam switching circuit. The challenge in the development of this new beamforming lens is the ability to scatter millimeter waves at any angle with minimal energy loss.Researchers passed3D printingThe design result of technology realization is,3D printingThe spherical ball (blue part) can provide multiple beams on almost the entire hemisphere (-90°<ø<90°), while supporting a wide frequency bandwidth from Sub-6GHz to 110GHz. Suitable for base stations (with new 5G frequency bands) ) And high-capacity millimeter wave backhaul links (E-band-up to 110GHz).
The spherical sphere includes many cavities, and each cavity is located on the top of the antenna feed and serves as a waveguide at the correct angle in the hemisphere, so that it can support multiple beams at the same time.
l Looking for ideal materials
In addition to completing the design of the lens antenna, another challenge is to find the best material that can minimize interference and energy loss.
After examining several materials, the researchers chose zirconium oxide (ZrO2) because its dielectric constant Dk = 32.2 is almost flat and has very little loss across the entire spectrum. They performed some measurements and simulations on zirconia and PBG, and the results showed that the transmittance of zirconia was between 0 and -10dB, while the transmittance displayed by PBG material was inconsistent between 0 and -44dB.
After sintering, zirconia exhibits another important feature with its excellent durability, wear resistance, hardness and toughness: this material has been used for many years on the top of the beam antenna without any maintenance.
After the design and material selection is completed, the next step is to test the manufacturing technology. Manufacturing technology needs to be able to fulfill the following requirements:
- Hollow cavities and holes-used to create millimeter wave waveguides;
- Relatively small and lightweight-able to withstand the mechanical force that may be emitted on the installed antenna, reducing the footprint, but still achieving higher durability and reducing the maintenance of the base station;
- Integral structure-no moving parts;
- Excellent durability, wear resistance, hardness and toughness;
- High precision and fine details;
- Excellent clarity
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