Performance Evaluation and Applications of Silicon-Based Dielectric Resonator Antennas for 70 GHz Wireless and Body-Centric Systems

This paper presents a detailed performance analysis of dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs) and DRA arrays operating at the 70 GHz millimeter-wave (mm-wave) band for on-chip and body-centric wireless communication applications. Single-element and 2×2 DRA arrays with various shapes—rectangular, cylindrical, hexagonal, and hemispherical—are evaluated and compared to state-of-the-art 70 GHz antennas, including microstrip patch and leaky-wave designs. Key parameters such as bandwidth, gain, radiation efficiency, beam steering, and design complexity are assessed. Fabricated on a low-cost silicon substrate with CPW feeding, the proposed DRAs achieve up to 92.8% radiation efficiency and compact designs, making them suitable for Body Area Networks (BANs). Potential applications in wearable health monitoring, implantable medical devices, motion tracking, and augmented reality are also explored. This work underscores the superior performance of DRAs at 70 GHz and their potential for integration into emerging wireless technologies.