Study of Lens Arrays for Radiative Near Field Communication in the H-Band

Abstract

This master thesis explores the capacity of MIMO arrays for communication in the radiative near field through antenna design. This research applies an in-house MATLAB model based on free space Green’s function to calculate the channel matrix, revealing the potential increase of capacity through the use of incoherent arrays with directive antennas in the incoherent range without the need for interference cancellation.

The optimization of the equivalent aperture current and the design of lens antennas are the key points in realizing the ultimate goal of maximizing the capacity between antenna arrays. The accuracy of the channel matrix from the MATLAB model and the performance of the designed lens antennas are validated through full-wave simulation using CST. Furthermore, the internal reflections between the arrays are studied, offering solutions to mitigate the effects of the reflections for future array designs.

This work serves as a feasibility study, providing sufficient confidence in the application of communication systems in the radiative near field without the need for signal processing (e.g. interference cancellation, multi-path cancellation, etc.). Furthermore, the methodology in this thesis offers insights for future antenna designs for different applications. In summary, this study proposes and validates a potential solution for the design of next-generation communication systems.