A Dual-polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array with Differential Feeding

TANG Li; WANG Zhihui; ZHAO Luyu

doi:10.11999/JEIT260505

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TANG Li, WANG Zhihui, ZHAO Luyu. A Dual-polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array with Differential Feeding[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260505

Citation:

TANG Li, WANG Zhihui, ZHAO Luyu. A Dual-polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array with Differential Feeding[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260505

TANG Li, WANG Zhihui, ZHAO Luyu. A Dual-polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array with Differential Feeding[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260505

Citation:

TANG Li, WANG Zhihui, ZHAO Luyu. A Dual-polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array with Differential Feeding[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260505

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A Dual-polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole Antenna Array with Differential Feeding

doi: 10.11999/JEIT260505 cstr: 32379.14.JEIT260505

TANG Li¹,
WANG Zhihui²,
ZHAO Luyu^{2
,
,}

1.
The Tenth Research of China Electronics Technology Corporation, Chengdu 610036, China
2.
Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China

Accepted Date: 2026-06-15
Rev Recd Date: 2026-06-15

Available Online: 2026-06-19

Abstract

Abstract

Objective This work aims to address key challenges in 5G millimeter-wave terminal antennas by designing a compact, high-performance dual-polarized array. While existing designs often face trade-offs among bandwidth, beam-scanning range, and integration complexity, this study proposes a novel differentially-fed magnetoelectric dipole array. The core innovation involves a stacked stripline-slot-stripline balun to enable efficient single-ended-to-differential conversion and optimized array design. The objective is to realize an integrated solution that simultaneously achieves wideband operation, low cross-polarization, wide-angle scanning, and high density, advancing practical antenna technology for 5G millimeter-wave applications. Methods The research employs a structured design methodology, beginning with the development of a novel stacked differential balun based on a stripline-slot-stripline configuration to achieve efficient single-ended-to-differential conversion. Subsequently, a single-polarized magnetoelectric dipole antenna element is designed and integrated with this balun, with its performance thoroughly characterized. Finally, the design is extended by orthogonally integrating two such elements to form a dual-polarized unit, which is then used to construct a 1×4 linear array. The entire process involves iterative full-wave electromagnetic simulation and optimization to balance key performance metrics, including wideband impedance matching, high port isolation, wide beam-scanning capability with stable gain, and effective suppression of grating lobes and mutual coupling. Results and Discussions The optimized 1×4 dual-polarized differentially-fed magnetoelectric dipole antenna array with an element spacing of 4.6 mm (0.4λ@26 GHz) achieves an excellent trade-off between grating lobe suppression and inter-element coupling reduction. The measured –10 dB reflection coefficient bandwidths reach 25–29.4 GHz for the +45° polarization port and 25–27.7 GHz for the –45° polarization port (Fig. 18), with slight matching differences arising from the incomplete structural symmetry of the baluns under two polarization modes (Fig. 13). At the 26 GHz operating frequency, both polarization modes of the array deliver a peak gain of 10.7–11 dBi, supporting effective wide-angle beam scanning of ±60° with a gain attenuation of no more than 3 dB in the main lobe (Fig. 21). The measured radiation performance is highly consistent with the simulated results, with minor errors caused by the extreme dimensional sensitivity of the millimeter-wave band and slight deviations in high-precision processing and test assembly. Moreover, the array maintains stable low cross-polarization characteristics and high port isolation across the entire operating band due to comprehensive optimization measures including equal-length feed lines, symmetric layout, ground pad shielding and metalized via electromagnetic isolation (Fig. 16), which effectively suppress inter-element mutual coupling and parasitic radiation, and ensure the consistency of radiation performance for dual polarization modes, thus meeting the stringent performance requirements of 5G millimeter-wave terminal antenna modules. Conclusions This paper presents a dual-polarized magnetoelectric dipole antenna array with differential feeding for 5G millimeter-wave applications. Through the design of a novel stacked stripline-slot-stripline balun and the optimization of the radiating structure and array layout, a balanced performance integrating wide bandwidth, high gain, low cross-polarization, and wide-angle scanning is achieved. The differential balun enables efficient single-ended-to-differential conversion with excellent amplitude and phase balance across the target band. The implemented 1×4 array, with an optimized element spacing of 4.6 mm (0.4λ), demonstrates a simulated peak gain of 11 dBi at 26 GHz and supports effective beam scanning over ±60° with a gain variation of less than 3 dB. The overall design validates the feasibility of utilizing a differentially-fed magnetoelectric dipole architecture to meet the stringent requirements of 5G millimeter-wave terminals for compact, high-performance antenna modules. Future work may focus on scaling the array to larger configurations and further integration with beamforming integrated circuits (BFICs).
- 5G millimeter-wave,
- differential feeding,
- magnetoelectric dipole,
- dual-polarized,
- array antenna

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References(16)

References

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