Analysis of single and multiple on-chip antenna for intra-chip wireless communication with four antenna transceiver model

The Radio Frequency (RF) wireless interconnect is one way to improve the performance of multi-core chips that is limited by high power dissipation in the form of heat in conventional metal wired connections. This paper examined the suitability of various existing on-chip antennas, as well as the performance of four such antennas located symmetrically at the four edges of the chip substrate for short-range millimeter-wave intra-chip communication. In order to simulate the scenario of RF transceiver, millimeter-wave antenna on-chip models were developed using the CST MWS software tool. The simulation is carried out for mm-wave range of 10-75 GHz. In the first scenario, zig-zag antenna, planar triangular monopole antenna, bowtie antenna and rectangular meander antenna were designed for the specified frequency range. Different parameters were observed and compared to the same. The approximate resonating frequency and return loss (S11) are 75 GHz and -17 dB, respectively for the meander and zig-zag antenna. In case of bowtie, it was -46 dB, which is acceptable, but -6.81 dB for the triangular monopole which is insignificant. In the second scenario, multiple antenna transceiver models were designed using the combination of these antennas. Meander antenna was found to perform better, with a lower reflection coefficient and a good Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR). The transmission coefficient of the side antenna is 4 to 16 dB higher than the oppositely placed antenna in the four-antenna model where antennas are kept at the edge centre. Most of the designs have a VSWR between 1 and 2 at their resonant frequency which is satisfactory.