Proximity Effects of Plastic Laptop Covers on Radiation Characteristics of 60-GHz Antennas

This letter highlights impacts on radiation characteristics of 60-GHz antennas operated in the proximity of plastic laptop covers. A series of experiments are carried out with antennas placed under plastic laptop cover materials. Antenna peak gain attenuation through the plastic cover materials is characterized as a function of frequency, distance between antenna and cover, as well as dielectric properties of the materials. The attenuation is moderate and in the order of 2 to 4.5 dB. Diffraction occurs at the cover edges and results in nulls in the antenna radiation pattern. The direction of the nulls is aligned with the cover edges. A null corresponds to more than a 15-dB drop in the antenna gain and might result in a link failure for 60-GHz point-to-point communications.