Review of Antenna Array for 5G

Technology Using mmWave Massive

MIMO

Kailash V. Karad and Vaibhav S. Hendre

1 Introduction

In today’s world, high data rate is prime requirement for any user and any application
to be run on OS (operating system). The necessity [1] of high-data-rate transmission
is increased drastically because of large number of users and services available in the
market. MmWave [2] is viewed as foremost recurrence possibility in 5G may tender
extremely towering transmission rate at cellular communication [3]. Massive MIMO
is identified like full dimension MIMO, very large multiuser MIMO, hyper-MIMO
or a big number antenna structure which clearly indicates use of large number of
antennas at Base Station (BS).
In contrast with usual MIMO, large number of antennas are proposed in massive
MIMO which concentrates energy intended for smaller regions, radiation efficiency,
low level of interference, user throughput, etc. Also, it enlarges cell range or coverage
more effectively for higher frequency bands in mmWave as large number of oper-
ational antennas, i.e., antenna array can be packed with a small footprint for high
power directivity and helps in propagation for worse conditions of it [4]. Antenna
arrays at the transmitter are intelligent to adjust radiation patterns with the time as
well as frequency referred as spatial beamforming. Antenna arrays are able to do the
spatial filtering also. Mainly, it focuses in space [5] at random point for signal whose
environment supports multipath propagation as shown in Fig. 1.
The amalgamation of 5G for mmWave spectrum at base station and mobile phone
requires highly directional antenna with beamforming [6]. Nowadays many mobile
service providers use spectrum of sub 3 GHz. Although, increase in service demand
is not able to fulfill the requirement of user, and the solution to this problem comes
out from a band of millimeter wave frequency. This band specifically ranges from
30 to 300 GHz as shown in Fig. 2.

K. V. Karad (B) · V. S. Hendre

G H Raisoni College of Engineering and Management, Wagholi, Pune, India

© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022 775
A. Dhawan et al. (eds.), Recent Trends in Electronics and Communication,
Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering 777,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2761-3_68
776 K. V. Karad and V. S. Hendre

Fig. 1 Antenna array beam

formation [5]

Fig. 2 Millimeter wave band allocation [7]

With this mmWave frequency, 57–64 GHz band as well as 164–200 GHz are
found as absorption band for oxygen and water vapor, respectively, which are not
appropriate to have propagation because of attenuation from water vapors (mainly
occurs by 180 GHz). In short, over the entire mmWave band, 252 GHz spectrum
is available for mobile broadband communication [6, 7]. The frequency band 57–
67 GHz is unlicensed V band whereas 71–76 GHz and 81–86 GHz is lightly licensed
E band. This band offers bandwidth in terms of gigahertz. E band supports transmis-
sion distance up to 500–700 m whereas V band supports up to several kilometers due
to oxygen and rain attenuation, respectively. This helps to minimize inter-cell inter-
ference. MmWave have small wavelength which in turn results into use of antennas
in large scale manner we referred the term as massive MIMO which is best suited
at the base stations (BS) of macro cell and small cells. In brief, it is improving the
value of directivity, spatial gain, cell coverage, frequency reuse and reduction in the
value of path loss which is major impact for mmWave. Ultimately, this will save the
setting up time of a BS, space required for it and always for which we think that is
cost, will also get reduced [8].
Mainly in case of antenna arrays, geometrical configuration (placing of antennas),
individual antenna pattern, array factor, mutual coupling and impedance plays vital
role for system performance [9]. Accordingly, geometrical configuration of array in
5G for massive MIMO should be explored and evaluated. This may have rectangular,
hexagonal, circular or cylindrical configuration of antenna array which could be
Review of Antenna Array for 5G Technology Using mmWave … 777

premeditated by requisites of number of antenna elements, operating frequency,

radiation pattern, directivity (gain), beamwidth, mutual coupling, return loss and
effect of all this on area coverage, signal strength of received signal, SINR (signal to
noise and interference ratio), throughput, spectral efficiency and the channel capacity
must be analyzed. The exploration may through one or many frequencies like 6 GHz,
28 GHz, 38 GHz or 60 GHz from mmWave frequency band and evaluation through
different types of antenna elements with desired number of it; likewise microstrip
patch, slot, dipole, lens, yagi-uda and many more.

2 Observations About mmWave Bands

2.1 Less Propagation

Misinterpretation about the mmWave is that, higher frequencies propagate less than
smaller frequencies at free space as path loss (PL) is deliberated among two antennas
(isotropic in nature) for definite frequency or with the help of dipoles.

2.2 Shorter Wavelengths

It is proved [7], shorter wavelengths (higher frequencies) propagates longer than

longer wavelengths (lower frequencies) because of narrower beams which are
more directional at higher frequencies. This helps to lessen interference, moreover
strengthening spatial multiplexing along with access capabilities at cell site.

2.3 Penetration

Penetration of Millimeter wave through solid material is weak (e.g. bricks, concrete)
compared to lower frequency signal. At the same time, penetration through wood,
cardboard and plastic is good for mmWave communication.

2.4 Attenuation

The key achievement of mmWave band is that, human body or metal objects are less
penetrating but they are acting as a good reflector for the frequency of 28 GHz and
attenuate more in heavy rain.
778 K. V. Karad and V. S. Hendre

2.5 Power

Normally, when wavelength is short, then more power is distributed by particles in

the signal transmission path and misalignment of beams leads to criticism which
needs to be resolve.
Basically, mmWave supports high frequency which results into more path loss
during transmission and reception of signal. This can be resolved by using beam-
forming gain with the massive antenna array structure. As the frequency in mmWave
is high, i.e., wavelength is very small, so it is possible to pack antenna arrays into a
smaller physical size. This will help us to improve the spectral efficiency as well as
bandwidth as multiple antennas will be used for transmission and reception purpose
which will provide separate path for it. The received power Pr in a wireless system
is given by;

Pt G t G r λ2
Pr = (1)
(4π )2 r 2

where Pt symbolize transmitted power, Gt and Gr termed as transmitting and

Receiving antenna gain, whereas r is separation distance of transmitting and receiving
antenna or range and λ as signal wavelength. The path loss may be setup easily from
Eq. (1). From a single base station of macro cell by means of massive antenna array,
all the small cells residing in the same macro cell will get serve as shown in Fig. 3.
This will help to improve the small cell mobile user’s data rate and minimizes path
loss, power requirement at base station. On the way to get better antenna array gain,
phase shifting of each antenna can be implemented by using phase shifter. This will
improve the signal transmission and reception intended to achieve high directivity
and gain. Implementation of this leads to highly directed beams referred as a hybrid
beamforming and gain of this is depend on the size and dimension of antenna array
[10].
The existing technology of 4G (LTE or LTE—advanced) with MIMO employed
combination of 2–4 compact antennas in signal transmission as well as reception.

Fig. 3 mmWave massive

MIMO structure for 5G
implementation [8]
Review of Antenna Array for 5G Technology Using mmWave … 779

In 5G, it is proposed to make use of more than 100 antennas (preferably 128)
with massive architecture. This will lead to improve the cell capacity, data rates,
enhancement in signal to noise ratio by offering highly directional beam antenna
[11].

3 Antenna Array for mmWave Band

As discussed earlier, for minimization of path loss and coverage improvement; direc-
tional antennas and beam formation with steering capability is very important at
mmWave frequencies. In this section we are going to focus on antenna array construc-
tion, simulation methods and parameter measurements with comparative results of
it.

3.1 Planner Type Array

The work [12] is mainly deals with three types of planner array, viz. uniform rectan-
gular, hexagonal and circular planner array. These are also referred as, URPA, UHPA
and UCPA as given in Fig. 4.
Author designed and simulated the structure of above three antenna array with
inter-element spacing of λ/2 considering the frequency 30 GHz and beyond. Attained
results are summarized in Table 1.
Looking at the observations of Table 1, all three antenna configurations have
almost same value of gain and beamwidth. Overall, the performance of UHPA is
good considering geometrical area and HPBW which helps to fit into compact size
because of smaller area. This also proves that, though the operating frequency lies
in mmWave band, there is no effect on use of planner antenna array system.

(a) Rectangular array (b) Hexagonal array (c) Circular array

Fig. 4 Planner array configuration in 2D [12]

780 K. V. Karad and V. S. Hendre

Table 1 Physical dimension and measured parameters for planner antenna arrays
Parameter/type of array URPA UHPA UCPA
Antenna elements 90 91 91
Geometric area 22.5 λ2 16.24 λ2 19.64 λ2
Maximum gain (dB) 42.39 42.63 43.00
HPBW (3 dB) 11.300 10.150 10.820
SLL (dB) −12.90 −18.86 −17.65

3.2 Lens Antenna Array

In [10] lens antennas for static and mobile user with variation in the size of lens
antennas are proposed. This resulted into high directivity and gain compared to non-
lens types of antennas. Utmost use of lens at the place of usual phase shifter lessens
computational difficulties in beamforming design with power consumption. Here,
lens performs the role of virtual phase shifter (passive in nature) which focuses inci-
dent EM wave in assured region. It performs important role when used in combination
with antenna array. It focuses on signal power to achieve towering directivity (gain)
and this power is directed into sub-area covered by array antenna.
A lens with antenna array is referred as N element lens antenna. Here, two types
of lens antennas are designed, simulated (using HFSS), and fabricated at operating
frequency of 28 GHz, inter-element spacing of 10 mm with the hyperbolic lens (made
of polyethylene) having dielectric constant εr = 2.2 in a vertically polarized manner.
The comparative of antenna array parameters are described with Table 2.
From above geometrical configuration, author compared the performance of
SULA and MULA with no lens antenna arrays and found improvement in the direc-
tivity, gain, half power beamwidth (HPBW). Specifically, SULA attained gain value
of 25 dB (more around 17 dB) and MULA attained gain of 12.5 dB with the small
value of HPBW as ±6.5◦ in comparison with no lens. In broad view manner, it is
clear that making use of lens with antenna array (lens antenna) helps to improve the
value of directivity, gain, narrower of beamwidth and beam switching either with
static user or mobile user.

Table 2 Types of lens antenna array with different parameters

Type Geometry Patch size Position Beam Application
of lens switching
SULA Cube 50 mm × 50 mm × 60 mm Behind Not Static user
1 × 1, 2 × 2, 1 × 4 the patch necessary
MULA Square 1 × 4, 4 × 4 3.05 mm × 3.05 mm In front Necessary Mobile user
of patch
Review of Antenna Array for 5G Technology Using mmWave … 781

Table 3 Summary of antenna array architectures with different shapes

Type of array Element spacing Gain variation w.r.t. Gain variation w.r.t. side
main lobe lobe
8 × 8 rectangular λ×2 3–5 dB More
64 λ/ 2, 3 λ/2, 5 λ/2, and Not changed Less
circular 7 λ/2 as diameter
61 hexagonal λ/2 Not changed More
16 crisscross Vertically 2 elements 3–5 dB Less
adjacent to each other

3.3 Antenna Array with Various Shapes

Author [13] proposed four designs of array typically; rectangular, circular, hexag-
onal and crisscross shape. Firstly, 8 × 8 rectangular array where spacing between
elements is kept as λ × 2 to form a square grid along x and y directions. Secondly,
64 circular arrays with 16 elements in each four concentric circles having diameter
λ/2, 3λ/2, 5λ/2, and 7λ/2 are selected correspondingly. Thirdly, hexagonal array
with 61 elements at a spacing of λ/2 is chosen between adjacent two elements. Lastly,
16 crisscross shape arrays arranged vertically to each other with two 8-elements linear
array. Thus, the circular type array hits perfectly in outdoor propagation of mmWave
as it covers larger area through which it obtains high gain and directivity compared
to other array structure. The summary of all these antenna types is presented in Table
3.

3.4 Patch Array

In [14], use of 57–64 GHz unlicensed band for 5G communication is proposed

because of increased outside emanation power level. The author has designed and
simulated (in CST) antenna array structure for desired frequency. Formulae for
designed structure are taken as follows;
w
≥1 (2)
h
     
εr + 1 εr − 1 h
εreff = + × 1 + 12 (3)
2 2 w

Fringing effect leads enhancement in patch length by L given as;

w
(εreff + 0.3) + 0.264
L = (0.412 × h) × h
w
(4)
(εreff − 0258) h
+ 0.8
782 K. V. Karad and V. S. Hendre

c
L eff = √ − 2L (5)
2 fr × εreff

The substrate material RT Duroid 5880 (thickness = 0.508 mm) is opted with
dielectric constant εr = 2.2 for the frequency band of 57–64 GHz resonating around
60 GHz. The schematic of entire patch antennas are shown in Fig. 5.
Antenna having cut in slot as in Fig. 5b gives larger bandwidth with respect to S 11
characteristic for the said spectrum compared to other shapes. With this conclusion,
author designed and fabricated the same structure of antenna arrays with same mate-
rial specifications. The summary of all antenna parameters with geometry is listed
in Table 4 (Fig. 6).
The best suited structure is slot array (1 × 10) when compared with other structures
of Table 4 as the value of gain (15.3 dB) is highest and beamwidth (half power
beamwidth—10.2°) is narrower exclusive of SLL (side lobe level).

(a) rectangular patch (b) broadband patch (c) elliptical patch

Fig. 5 Microstrip patch antenna element types [14]

Table 4 Comparison of microstrip antenna arrays for different parameters

Array Geometry Area Beamwidth SLL (in Gain (in
structure (mm2 ) (in o) dB) dBi)
Comb-line 4 × 21 17.0 −4.6 9.9
array

Probe fed 5 × 38 11.6 −10.3 16.3

comb-line
array
Linear series 5 × 27 17.1 −11.4 12.0
fed array
Probe fed 5 × 27.5 10.3 −13.2 15.2
array
(1 × 10)
Slot array 5 × 27.5 10.2 −13.6 15.3
(1 × 10)
Review of Antenna Array for 5G Technology Using mmWave … 783

Fig. 6 Plot of S 11 against frequency

3.5 Patch Type 2 × 2 Array

Author [11] designed a patch antenna at a frequency of 29 GHz for a mobile handset
with two 2 × 2 antenna array. The orientation of arrays is kept as orthogonal to
achieve spatial diversity and polarization diversity. Author design and simulated the
said work into Altair FEKO 3D electromagnetic simulation software. In order to
obtain flexibility in operation of antenna configuration, it is recommended that each
array can be excited at a time or both at the same time.

3.6 Antenna Array (128 Elements) Simulation Analysis

An array of 128 elements are considered [15] for radio propagation simulation in
outdoor urban area environment at a frequency of 28, 38 and 60 GHz of mmWave
band. By means of ICS Telecom EV software, coverage analysis of basic coverage,
signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SNIR) along with throughput is performed.
Total 21 transmitters are used to cover an area of 1.352 km2 by considering seven
points of base station with each having sector of 120°.
Results of Table 5 are very indicative for mmWave frequencies specifically 28,
38 and 60 GHz in the use of 5G technology with respect to area coverage, value of
SNIR and throughput.
784 K. V. Karad and V. S. Hendre

Table 5 Summary of simulation analysis for coverage, SNIR and throughput

Frequency Area coverage SNIR coverage value (%) Throughput coverage
(GHz) value (%)/(dBm) value (%)
For 10–15 dB For 16–90 dB For
124,470–134,710 kbps
28 35.10 0.47 98.71 80.99
(−116 to −107)
38 30.31 1.56 98.20 58.03
(−126 to −117)
60 26.20 2.58 54.00 24.33
(−126 to −117)

4 Applications of mmWave

Today, use of massive MIMO becomes a prominent in view of mmWave applications

to support 5G technology. Many applications, technologies have been opened because
of usage proposed in mmWave frequency bands. A few are considered here as follows.

4.1 IOT (Internet of Things)

This is a recent trend going on in industries which enabled communication among

device to device (D2D) and/or one machine to others with the help of sensors. This
involves communication of multiple devices simultaneously in a real-time manner.
To have communication between all these, efficient antennas are required along
with high speed and large amount of bandwidth. This shows the way to make use
of mmWave frequency for such applications. The power consumption and connec-
tivity of all these devices is also a main concern which can be limited by mmWave
frequencies [3, 9].

4.2 Vehicular

Nowadays many vehicle safety applications are developed which keeps control on
the speed of vehicle, road directions, remotely opening and closing of doors and
windows, etc. This needs number of sensor to be active all time, but still there is
limitation on sensor range. To increase the range of sensor for generating high data
rate use of compact size antenna with automated vehicle is possible which is certainly
gifted by mmWave communication.
Review of Antenna Array for 5G Technology Using mmWave … 785

4.3 Medical

In medical field, imaging is one of the important part for diagnosis of different layers
of skin or tissues of the body. The mmWave provides ability to display and measure
various parameters associated with human body because of its smaller wavelength.
To do imaging with high level resolution, mmWave probes such as co-axial as well
as waveguide with integrated structure of antenna into device are preferable.

4.4 Massive MIMO

At present, cellular communication uses MIMO having antenna elements as less than
or equal to eight. In 5G, use of mmWave will lead to enhancement in the number of
antenna elements from MIMO to massive MIMO which enables count greater than
eight to thousands. This will show the way of achieving high speed communication,
high gain and highly directive patterns.

5 Discussion

In this paper, we focused on the part of mmWave band for 5G through massive MIMO
challenges, advantages and its key features. The frequency from 3 to 300 GHz is
primarily pledged for enhancement in data rate, cell capacity, bandwidth, spectral
efficiency and throughput by adopting antenna array structure at the transmitter or
receiver site. Also, different antenna array structures have been studied like uniform
rectangular, circular, hexagonal, cylindrical, elliptical, crisscross with the configura-
tion of 1 × 4, 1 × 10, 2 × 2, 4 × 4, 8 × 8, 90, 91 or 128 elements. The concept of
lens antenna at 28 GHz for static and mobile user (SULA and MULA) is also inno-
vative approach to fulfil the user’s requirement of high data rate with lesser power.
The authorization for researchers to do work in mmWave frequency band for 5G
applications can be understood from simulation of radio propagation model at 28, 38
and 60 GHz. This shows the improvement in cell area coverage, overall throughput
and SINR.
Thus, in broad manner, antenna elements in large number with beamswitching-
assisted improvement in gain (directivity), SNIR, and narrowing beamwidth with
reduced side lobes.
786 K. V. Karad and V. S. Hendre

6 Conclusion

As on today, all over the world, research is going on to increase the data rate with
the innovative technologies which has forced to make use of mmWave frequency
band. These technologies are preparing the base for 5G mobile network services
incorporated with massive MIMO. Most of the work from 5G services’ point of
view has been initiated for the mmWave frequency band, typically at 28, 38 and
60 GHz. The frequency band 57–64 GHz is unlicensed V band whereas 71–76 GHz
and 81–86 GHz E-band is lightly licensed which is advantageous and inspiring to
researchers in near future. The design of antenna array for mmWave frequency band
is a challenging because of its smaller wavelength, but at the same time, it is offering
features like larger bandwidth, less power requirement, physically compact or small
in size to set up a base station with massive number of antennas, cell coverage and
thereby throughput, etc.

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