A Phased Array Antenna with Novel Composite Right/Left-Handed (CRLH) Phase Shifters for Wi-Fi 6 Communication Systems

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1.      In page 4, line 112- 114, it is written that “When a magnetic field (using a tiny magnet beneath the ground plane at MRS location) is applied, these particles are magnetically aligned in the ? direction as shown in Figure 2.”. What is the function of the magnetic particles in the phase shifter? Are they be used to tune the phase shift of the phase shifter? Please comment the working principle in detail.

2.      In page 4, line 114- 116, it is written that “This magnetic alignment of particles inside the MRS connects the stub with the ground plane. This is equivalent to shunted stub in a standard CRLH transmission line with a conducting via [20].” Could the particles connect/disconnect the stub with the ground plane perfectly just as an ideal short/short circuit? Could the author analyze the connection/disconnection using S parameter? Why is [20] cited in the sentence?

3.      In page 5, line 142- 145, it is written that “The activation of vias connects the symmetrical stubs with the ground plane, representing the magnetic alignment of particles in the MRS and deactivation of vias disconnects the stubs from the ground plane, which represents the non-alignment of particles in the MRSs.” What is difference on phase shift with the activation of vias connects or dis activation?

4.      In Section 2.1 and 2.2, it can be seen that the difference of -45° phase shift and -90° phase shift is caused by difference values of Lus which is irrelevant to the magnetic particles or magnetic align. Why use magnetic particles in the phase shifter?

5.      In the refence list, the year of [21] is not 2020, please revise it.

6.      There is an error in the title of Figure 11, the reference of “[elecs]” needs be replaced with reference number.

Author Response

The point by point replies are submitted in a PDF file. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors can write a table of literature review comparing the performance of the antenna with the published works.

How parameters are selected for the proposed work.

The introduction can start with the problem  and background. 

In Table.1, what reduction of size, has been achieved comparatively to the published work.

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The MRS structure is replicated in simulation with circular grounded vias. Later you do build this structure. It would be interesting to see the measured response of the phase structure units compared to the simulation. Even for just one unit cell as photographed, it would be interesting to see. Your work measurement as is does not seem to validate the phase but instead the scanning.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

 

In this paper a phased array antenna with novel composite right/left-handed (CRLH) phase shifters for Wi-Fi 6 Communication Systems is presented. The proposed device is fabricated and measured. The paper can be considered for publication after major revision, which some comments are listed as follows:

 

1. In table 1, qualitative comparison of the proposed work with some related techniques are provided. Add a  quantitative comparison table with number and compare proposed work with other works in terms of size, band width, insertion loss, gain and so on.

 

2. Radiation patterns curves and related explanations should be added.

3.Surface current distribution in the proposed device at the different frequencies should be added

 

4.Wi-Fi 6, requirement should be completely described.

 

5. A unit cell P-CRLH phase shifter; was previously presented in [R1] , which restrict the novelty of the paper. Clearly provide different between these two phase shifter.

 

6. S22, S11curves should be emphasized in Fig.3 and Fig.5.

 

7. Provide mutual coupling parameter between cells with and without proposed phase shifter. Maybe below paper is helpful: Mutual Coupling Reduction in Microstrip Patch Antenna Arrays Using Simple Microstrip Resonator. Wireless Personal Communications. 2022, 126:1665-77.

8. Provide overall size of the proposed P-CRLH phase shifter in λ.

 

 

 

 

[R1] Ayaz M, Iftikhar A, Braaten BD, Khalil W, Ullah I. A Composite Right/Left-Handed Phase Shifter-Based Cylindrical Phased Array with Reinforced Particles Responsive to Magneto-Static Fields. Electronics. 2023 Jan;12(2):306.

 

 

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 5 Report

Comments for Transmittal to Author

 

In this manuscript, authors presented their works on development of phased array antenna using composite CRLH phase shifters. The work is important, considering the requirements of recent wireless systems, such as 5G/6G base stations and Wifi-6 access points. However, the manuscript need a revision. Many places the observations are missing which are important to carry the research for a long run. Also, few techniques are introduced without a clear fundamental aspect. Therefore, authors need to revise the manuscript in a great deal. They shall use the following comment to improve the quality of presentation:

Major Comments:

1.     The introduction starts with the claim that Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 are operating at 5 GHz bands. It is import to add references, such as roadmap reports, industry white papers

2.     In the introduction, there is a statement, starts as “However, achieving the desired phases with commercially available..”. I wonder, how a DC bias can alter the radiation pattern, which operates in GHz, of the antenna array. Can you list the reasons?

3.     What are the needs of “flexible and conformal electronics”. Because substantial references are given based on this. What is the link between flexible and conformal electronics and Wifi-6?

4.     In literature survey of planar phase shifters, a qualitative review of materials used and their electrical/mechanical stabilities is presented. But, the “phase error”, measure of reconfigurability, flexibility and fabrication cost are not clearly quantified which are essential review parameters. Authors shall revise the survey and table accordingly.

5.     In overall, “Introduction” is not clearly conveying the reasons of objectives and proposed research work. It seems, the survey is not fitting with the objective of the intended research work.

6.     It is highly appreciable that the description of the unit phase shifter and the layout are clear. Yet, the excitation ports and its counter ground is not clear. What kind of ports are used? Wave-port or lumped port?

7.     What boundary condition used for simulation of “magnetostatic field responsive structures”.

8.     Fig. 3 shows the S parameters of proposed phase shifter unit. There are no legend. Readers may be discouraged to read further.

9.     While schematic of unit cell is presented, schematic of “cascaded unit cells” is missing. How unit cells are cascaded? Do they connected by transmission line of any electrical length? There is no description of ‘How the cascaded is done?’.

10. What is the reason for the choice of frequency range from 5 to 6 GHz?

11.  A patch on co-planar substrate is used as radiating element, however, it is gain and reflection coefficient are missing. How the best matching and co-planar design is performed?

12. In Fig. 8, 9, and 10, the legends are not clear.

 

Minor Comments:

1.     Don’t mention “Advanced Design System (ADS 2016)” in the abstract. You may use it in simulation method. Later you may call it as “simulation tool” or “simulation platform”

2.     Authors wrote “Beamforming” in a line which may be detailed with extra points.

3.     Write the full name of abbreviated “BST”.

4.     Write any one abbreviation, either “DC” or “dc”.

5.     I hope the format of statement “magnetic particles in [15] as a phase shifter” is not correct. It should be “Ref. [15]”. Please check the author guidelines for article preparation.

6.     Don’t use “∗” for multiplication symbol. There are specific symbols dedicated.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 6 Report

The authors proposed a 1 × 4 linear patch antenna phased array excited with novel composite right / left-handed (CRLH) phase shifter. The designing of phased antenna array carried out on ADS software and simulation results were presented and analyzed. Further, the authors have shown the advantages of the proposed design. The reported work is interesting, however I have following suggestions.

 1 The English writing of the manuscript must be improved.

2 pls highlight the key contributions of your work and explain the novelty in the bullets.

3 Table 1, it would be better to compare the results. You cannot hit the quality published work like this.

4 Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 only demonstrate the simulation results. pls provide the measurement results also.

5 Section 4, measurement validation, only the results of measured gain elucidated. It would give a fair comparison to show the simulations results as well. Pls include the S-parameters measured results in this section too.

6 pls provide the graphical representation of the overall measurement setup.

7 what are future directions of this study? Pls write it in conclusion section.

8 I only see some of the latest references. It is suggested to pls add more latest references related to the work.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 4 Report

The authors have addressed most of my concerns.

Reviewer 5 Report

Authors edited the manuscript. It shall be considered for publication