Probing Concept for an Antenna Array for 60 GHz Band

The focus of this work is to demonstrate a probing concept for an antenna array mounted on a circuit board and operating around 60 GHz. The array radiator element is based on a three-dimensional metallized molded plastic part which is soldered on a thin single-layer circuit board. The antenna has a -10 dB impedance bandwidth covering 57-64 GHz frequency range and shows high efficiency. A dielectric rod waveguide can probe the signal emitted by a single array radiator element in magnitude and phase without disturbing neighboring elements. The concept is demonstrated on a four-element linear array. An intentional disturbance in the feed network can be readily detected.