Design and Optimization of Low-Cost Multi-Band mmWave Antennas for Emerging V2X Applications

Abstract

The rapid evolution of intelligent transportation systems has intensified the demand for reliable, high-data-rate, and low-latency vehicular communication technologies. Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, encompassing Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), fifth-generation (5G) millimeter-wave (mmWave), and emerging sixth-generation (6G) systems, requires compact, high-performance, and cost-effective antenna solutions capable of operating under stringent automotive constraints. This dissertation presents the design, optimization, and validation of low-cost multi-band mmWave antenna systems tailored for emerging V2X applications.The research focuses on the development of compact, multi-band, and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna architectures operating across DSRC (5.9 GHz), 5G mmWave (28 GHz and 38 GHz), and prospective 6G sub-terahertz frequency bands. A series of novel antenna designs are proposed, including dual-band patch antennas, compact MIMO arrays, beamforming-enabled mmWave arrays, conformal flexible antennas, electromagnetic bandgap (EBG)-assisted isolation structures, defected ground structures (DGS), and dual-mode leaky-wave antennas for beam scanning applications. Emphasis is placed on achieving wide impedance bandwidth, high radiation efficiency, low envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), high diversity gain, and enhanced mutual coupling suppression within compact and low-profile form factors suitable for vehicular integration. Comprehensive electromagnetic modeling and optimization are performed using ANSYS HFSS, while MATLAB is employed for post-processing and MIMO performance evaluation. Where applicable, simulated results are validated through experimental measurements, demonstrating close agreement and confirming the robustness and practical feasibility of the proposed designs. The antenna systems exhibit wide −10 dB impedance bandwidths, stable radiation characteristics, high isolation levels exceeding −20 dB in MIMO configurations, and beam steering or scanning capabilities suitable for dynamic vehicular environments. In addition to performance optimization, this work addresses critical practical considerations, including fabrication complexity, material selection, scalability to massive MIMO systems, regulatory compliance, and long-term automotive deployment. The results demonstrate that low-cost, compact, and scalable antenna architectures can effectively support current DSRC and 5G V2X requirements while providing a viable technological pathway toward future 6G and joint communication–sensing platforms. The contributions of this dissertation advance the state of the art in vehicular antenna engineering and provide a comprehensive framework for the design of next-generation automotive V2X antenna systems, enabling reliable connectivity, enhanced sensing capabilities, and intelligent transportation infrastructures.