Miniaturized dual‐band metamaterial inspired antenna with modified SRR loading

A miniaturized dual‐band CPW‐fed Metamaterial antenna with modified split ring resonator (SRR) loading has been presented in this paper. Proposed antenna comprises a tapered rectangular patch with a slot in which an elliptically SRR has been loaded to achieve miniaturization. Proposed antenna shows dual band operations in the operating band 3.25‐3.42 and 3.83‐6.63 GHz, respectively. It has been observed that lower mode (at 3.36 GHz) is originated by means of modified SRR. SRR is being modified by small meandered line inductor which is placed instead of strip. This provides an extra inductance to SRR resulting miniaturization. Overall electrical size of the proposed antenna is 0.222 × 0.277 × 0.017 λ₀ at 3.36 GHz. Second band is due to coupling between feed and ground planes. The antenna offers an average peak gain of 1.72 and 3.41 dB throughout the first and second band respectively. In addition to that this antenna exhibits perfect omnidirectional and dipolar radiation patterns at xz‐ and yz‐ plane respectively. Due to consistent radiation pattern, ease of fabrication, and compact nature this antenna can be used for wireless applications such as worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band, WLAN/Wi‐Fi bands.     

A compact substrate‐integrated‐waveguide monopulse slot antenna array with TE20 mode

A compact substrate‐integrated‐waveguide (SIW) monopulse slot antenna array with T_E20 mode is proposed, manufactured, and tested in this communication. The TE₂₀ mode electric field distribution is used in this antenna design. The phase difference required by the monopulse system is constructed by changing the orientation of the end of the top microstrip feed line. The microstrip line implements not only the feed function, but also the function of a monopulse comparator. The design greatly reduces the size of the monopulse comparator and the feed network, and improves the aperture efficiency of the antenna. Our measurement shows that the operating frequency of the antenna is 10.4 GHz, and the maximum gain of the sum beam is 13.7 dBi, and the difference beam null depth is ?26 dB. The antenna has the advantages of simple structure, small size, and easy integration of planar circuits. This proposed idea can open new ways for monopulse antenna design.     

Wideband cavity‐backed log‐periodic‐slot end‐fire antenna with vertical polarization for conformal application

A 6–18 GHz wideband cavity‐backed log‐periodic‐slot end‐fire antenna with vertical polarization for conformal application is presented. The log‐periodic folded slots and parasitic slots with 10 slot elements are applied to cover 6–18 GHz frequency band and the log‐periodic metallic cavity is placed under each slot element to keep wideband performance and prevent the effects of large metallic carrier on radiation patterns. The ground plane etched with log‐periodic slots is reversed and touched directly to the backed cavity and a dielectric cover is added to the antenna, to further improve the antenna performance. Meanwhile, a broadband microstrip‐coplanar waveguide transition is inserted in the antenna for measurements. With these designs, the proposed antenna shows good impedance matching (|S₁₁|<27 dB) and end‐fire gain (>4 dBi) performances in 6–18 GHz. The proposed antenna also keeps low‐profile and easy flush‐mounted characteristic which is suitable for conformal applications of high speed moving carriers.     

High‐gain magnetic‐dipole quasi‐Yagi antenna using higher‐order‐mode dielectric resonator with near‐zero‐index metamaterial

For the first time, the rectangular dielectric resonator (DR) operating in higher‐order TE_3δ1 mode is investigated and used as a magnetic‐dipole driver to design quasi‐Yagi antenna with high gain. For further enhancing the antenna gain, a near‐zero‐index (NZI) metamaterial (NZIM) is proposed instead of the traditional directors and put in the front of DR driver. It is a simple structure and composed of a set of the parallel metallic lines printed on a substrate along the end‐fire direction. Benefiting from the higher‐order mode operation of the DR and NZIM, the realized gain of the proposed antenna can reach 10.3 dBi, including the gain improvement of 2 dBi resulting from the employed NZIM. To verify the design concept, the prototype of quasi‐Yagi DR antenna with NZIM is fabricated and characterized. The measured results agree very well with the simulated results.     

Novel planar reconfigurable circularly polarized complementary antenna for unidirectional end‐fire radiation

In this article, a novel planar reconfigurable circular polarization (CP) complementary antenna for unidirectional end‐fire radiation is proposed. Its radiator is the combination of a shorted quarter wavelength patch and an electric dipole, which provide the vertical and horizontal polarizations, respectively. By adding a 90° phase delay line, the proposed antenna radiates CP electromagnetic waves in the unidirectional end‐fire direction. Four p‐i‐n diodes are also inserted at joints of the electric dipole and the phase delay lines, and two orthogonal CP states, left‐hand (LH) and right‐hand (RH) CPs, can be switched. In order to reduce the number of DC bias lines, electric dipole arms on both sides of the substrate are connected by metal via‐holes, which simplifies the DC bias lines. The proposed antenna at 2.45 GHz is designed and fabricated. Its measured impedance bandwidth with |S₁₁| < ?10 dB and 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth are 2.1% and 10.7%, respectively. Additionally, its maximum half power beamwidth in xoz plane is 196°. Reasonable agreement between the measured and simulated results validates the polarization reconfigurability of the proposed antenna.     

3D‐printed high‐gain circularly polarized antenna for broadband millimeter‐wave communications over the power line

It is well known that high transmission loss occurs when millimeter waves traveling through the atmosphere. As an alternative, power line is proposed as a transmission media to combat the high loss. In this article, a three‐dimensional (3D) printed high‐gain circularly polarized antenna was proposed for millimeter‐wave broadband power line communications. It has a simple structure, where tapered slots are designed between the upper and lower layers of the waveguide to generate the circularly polarized operation. A wide impedance bandwidth of 31.58% (24‐33 GHz) and an axial ratio bandwidth of 28.07% (24.5‐32.5 GHz) are achieved by the proposed design. A maximum gain of 11.2 dBi is measured from the 3D printed structure. The proposed antenna has a simple structure which is easy to adjust to any working frequency. The antenna can be excited by properly integrated to the waveguide that connected to the power line end. The use of 3D printing technology enables a low‐cost solution millimeter‐wave broadband communications over the power line.     

Wideband circular polarized cylindrical segmented dielectric resonator antenna for ISM band applications

In this article, cylindrical segmented dielectric resonator antenna (CDRA) is proposed for ISM band applications. To obtain the proposed antenna, three different (120°, 60°, and 30°) segments of different cylindrical radius r_1, r₂, and r₃ with stacked angular displacement are used for circular polarization with wideband frequency response. Quadrature phase shift of orthogonal field are observed when segment of cylinder is stacked with specific angular displacement. Various higher order modes are investigated. The simulated and measured impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 90% (3.3 GHz‐8.7 GHz) and 83.4% (3.5 GHz‐8.5 GHz) respectively and the simulated and measured axial ratio bandwidth is 53.8% (3.8 GHz‐6.6 GHz) and 58.5% (3.5 GHz‐6.4 GHz), respectively. Proposed antenna attains 7.1 dBi measured peak gain at 8.5 GHz with more than 80% radiation efficiency in the frequency band. The fabricated prototype is experimentally measured and its results are found to be commensurable with the simulation results.     

Wide bandwidth microstrip antenna with defected patch surface for low cross polarization applications

A simple and single element wide slot dipole loaded shorted rectangular microstrip antenna has been proposed and investigated experimentally for broad impedance bandwidth and improved cross polarized (XP) radiation compared to maximum co‐polarized (CP) gain without changing the co‐polarized (CP) radiation pattern. Around 23‐35 dB isolation between CP and XP radiation along with 25% impedance bandwidth is achieved with the proposed structure. The measured gain of the antenna is around 6.2 dBi over the entire band. The present antenna is very simple and easy to manufacture. Unlike the other structures, the present one is free from back radiation in terms of XP fields. The design of the antenna structure is theoretically justified and rigorously analyzed. The present investigation provides an insightful, clear visualization‐based understanding of the concurrent improvement in both the impedance bandwidth and XP performance with the present structure.     

Low profile coupling feed circularly polarized antennas for WLAN applications

This article presents two designs of circularly polarized antenna with simple circular‐shaped radiator and circular slotted ground plane. An arc‐shaped microstrip line coupling feed mechanism is used to excite the circular radiating patch. The 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth of the proposed antenna‐1 and proposed antenna‐2 are 3.33% and 18%, respectively. The proposed design has several advantages such as easy matching, fabrication simplicity, compact size, and wide axial ratio bandwidth. Both the antennas have been designed on FR‐4 substrate with dielectric constant 4.4 and thickness 1.59 mm. Simulated and measured results are presented to validate the working of the proposed antennas.     

Design and development of enhanced bandwidth multi‐frequency slotted antenna for 4G‐LTE/WiMAX/WLAN and S/C/X‐band applications

A multi‐frequency rectangular slot antenna for 4G‐LTE/WiMAX/WLAN and S/C/X‐bands applications is presented. The proposed antenna is comprised of rectangular slot, a pair of E‐shaped stubs, and an inverted T‐shaped stub and excited using staircase feed line. These employed structures help to achieve multiband resonance at four different frequency bands. The proposed multiband slot antenna is simulated, fabricated and tested experimentally. The experimental results show that the antenna resonates at 2.24, 4.2, 5.25, and 9.3 GHz with impedance bandwidth of 640 MHz (2.17‐2.82 GHz) covering WiMAX (802.16e), Space to Earth communications, 4G‐LTE, IEEE 802.11b/g WLAN systems defined for S‐band applications. Also the proposed antenna exhibits bandwidth of 280 MHz (4.1‐4.38 GHz) for Aeronautical and Radio navigation applications, 80 MHz (4.2‐4.28 GHz) for uncoordinated indoor systems,1060 MHz (5.04‐6.1 GHz) for the IEEE 802.11a WLAN system defined for C‐band applications and 2380 MHz (7.9‐10.28 GHz) defined for X‐band applications. Further, the radiation patterns for the designed antenna are measured in anechoic chamber and are found to agree well with simulated results.     

Substrate integrated waveguide based cavity‐backed self‐triplexing slot antenna for X‐Ku band applications

A planar substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) based cavity‐backed self‐triplexing slot antenna is proposed for X‐Ku band applications. The antenna comprises of the SIW cavity, radiating slots, and feeding networks. The radiating slots; that are etched on the upper metallic plane of the SIW, are backed up by the three radiated quarter cavities (QCs). The radiating slots in the respective QCs are of different lengths, excited by three separated orthogonal feed lines to resonate at three different frequencies as 11.01, 12.15, and 13.1 GHz. By fine‐tuning the antenna parameters, an intrinsic input port isolation of better than 26 dB is realized which helps in achieving the self‐triplexing property. The behaviors of individual cavity modes at three resonant frequencies are explained with the help of Z‐parameter. The proposed antenna layout is easy to integrate with the planar circuit. The proposed antenna is fabricated and measured results display a close concern with the simulated results. Moreover, a unidirectional radiation pattern and gain of 5.1, 5.54, and 6.12 dBi at resonant frequencies are realized.     

Low‐profile omnidirectional circularly polarized antenna based on substrate integrated waveguide technology

A substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) circularly polarized (CP) antenna with omnidirectional radiation in the azimuthal plane is proposed. The antenna consists of five identical end‐fire CP antenna elements in a pentagonal array configuration, which is loaded on a circular substrate. Each element contains an H‐plane horn antenna in SIW structure and a printed dipole antenna. Five parasitic curve elements are introduced to improve the omnidirectional property of the antenna. Combined with complementary dipoles theory and SIW technology, prototype antenna is designed, fabricated and measured. With a low profile of 0.024λ₀, the antenna has a 10‐dB return‐loss impedance bandwidth of 4.08% (2.4～2.5 GHz) and a 3‐dB axial‐ratio (AR) bandwidth of 5.76% (2.36～2.50 GHz). The antenna works well in the 2.45 GHz ISM band, with good cross‐polarization and excellent omnidirectional property.     

Wideband circularly polarized dielectric resonator antenna coupled with meandered‐line inductor for ISM/WLAN applications

A new meandered‐line inductor fed wideband circularly polarized rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) with partial ground plane has been developed in this work. Meandered‐line inductor feed and partial ground plane are used for generation of orthogonal modes, hence circular polarization (CP) in DRA. By controlling the length of meandered‐line inductor, three different CP DRA have been designed for different wireless applications such as Wi‐MAX and WLAN/ISM 2400 band. Distribution of electric field inside rectangular DRA shows that all three antenna having TE_11δ mode. Finally, a lower frequency band application at 2.4 GHz (ISM) called here as Proposed Antenna, has been considered for fabrication. This designed antenna shows measured ?10 dB input impedance bandwidth of 20.67% and 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth of 27.95% in broadside direction. All these three CP antennas (Antenna‐1 to Proposed Antenna) are showing stable gain and right hand circular polarization in broadside direction.     

A novel tree‐shaped antenna with wideband and end‐fire properties designed by competitive algorithm of simulating natural tree growth

This article presents a novel tree‐shaped antenna with wideband and end‐fire properties designed by the Competitive Algorithm of Simulating Natural Tree Growth. The antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 27.2% for S11 < ?10dB, maintains end‐fire radiation pattern and achieves a high gain over the entire frequency band from 5.4 GHz to 7.1 GHz. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2010.     

Wideband leaky‐wave antenna with consistent gain and wide beam scanning angle based on multilayered substrate integrated waveguide composite right/left‐handed transmission line

In this article, a wideband leaky‐wave antenna is designed for consistent gain and wide beam scanning angle by using the proposed multilayered substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) composite right/left‐handed transmission line (CRLH TL). The proposed SIW CRLH structure consists of two parts: an interdigital fingers slot of rotating 45° etched on the upper ground of the SIW, and a rotated parasitic patch beneath the slot. Due to the continuous phase constants change from negative to positive values of the proposed SIW‐CRLH under the balanced condition, the designed LWA can achieves a continuous beam‐scanning property from backward to forward over the operating frequency band. The designed antenna is fabricated and measured, the measured and simulated results are in good agreements with each other, indicating that the designed antenna obtains a measured continuous main beam scanning from backward ?78° to forward +76° over the frequency range from 7.7 to 12.8 GHz with a consistent gain of more than 9.5 dB. Besides, the designed antenna also exhibits a measured 3‐dB gain bandwidth of 45.1% with maximum gain of 15 dB. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 26:731–738, 2016.     

Compact frequency reconfigurable triple band notched monopole antenna for ultrawideband applications

A compact ultra‐wideband (UWB) reconfigurable microstrip fed monopole antenna having size of 0.22 λ₀ × 0.28 λ₀ × 0.005 λ₀ with switchable frequency bands is presented. Triple band notched characteristics are achieved by inserting two stubs at top of radiator and one slot in between the radiator and microstrip feed line. Proposed antenna achieves reconfigurability with three PIN diodes at strategic positions to obtain eight different operational modes. In one of the operational modes, antenna operates in the entire UWB (3‐14 GHz) with fractional bandwidth of 127.5%. Two stubs are used to notch two frequency bands worldwide interoperability for microwave access (3.3‐3.6 GHz/WiMAX) and C‐band (3.7‐4.2 GHz). T‐shaped slot is also inserted to notch wireless local area network (5.725‐5.825 GHz/WLAN) frequency band. Proper biasing of PIN diodes is done by using suitable chip inductors and capacitors. Proposed antenna exhibits stable radiation patterns with average gain of around 3 dBi. Simulation and measurement results are in good agreement. Proposed antenna is suitable for on‐demand band rejection of parasitic bands coexisting in UWB.     

Antipodal tapered slot antenna array using broadband decoupling structure for mutual coupling reduction

In this article, an effective method to reduce the mutual coupling between the antipodal tapered slot antenna (ATSA) array is proposed. This method is mainly implemented by loading a set of decoupling structures (DS) perpendicular to the dielectric substrate between two antenna elements. The proposed DS can provide transmission forbidden band which can effectively prevent leaked electromagnetic waves. DS can operate in most frequency bands within 4 to 17.5 GHz. It can enhance about 23 dB isolation between the ATSA array without affecting bandwidth and radiation characteristics. The proposed ATSA arrays are fabricated and tested. The measured results can verify its excellent properties. The proposed broadband decoupling method is a suitable candidate for restrain mutual coupling of ultra‐wideband planar end‐fire antennas. This design sheds new light on broadband decoupling.     

A compact slot antenna configuration for ultrawideband (UWB) terminals and mobile phones

A novel technique to design a mobile phone antenna by using an ultrawideband (UWB) antenna configuration is proposed. The technique is validated with a novel printed slot antenna configuration. The slot is composed of a circle connected to a trapezoid and fed by means of a 50 Ω microstrip line connected to a patch with similar shape to the slot. An UWB antenna with size of 19 mm × 24 mm and measured ?10 dB bandwidth of 2.97‐11.32 GHz is developed based on the configuration. When the configuration is applied in a system circuit board of 60 mm × 115 mm to design a mobile phone antenna, the simulated ?6 dB bandwidths are 1.0‐1.2 GHz and 2.25‐15 GHz. To enhance antenna bandwidth, another slot with rectangular shape is etched in the ground plane, and the microstrip line is moved to the center of the circuit board and folded to distribute along the rectangular slot. The measured ?6 dB bandwidths of the mobile phone antenna are 0.69‐1.09, 1.68‐2.75, 3.45‐3.52, and 3.62‐15 GHz.     

Millimeter‐wave wideband circularly polarized monopulse antenna using the sequential rotation feeding technique

This article presents the design and implementation of a single‐layer wideband millimeter‐wave circularly polarized (CP) monopulse cavity‐backed antenna based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology. The antenna consists of a 2× 8 array of CP cavity‐backed antenna elements, a 90° 3‐dB coupler, power dividers, and phase shifters. In order to enhance the operating bandwidths, the sequential rotation feeding technology is adopted in the design of the monopulse antenna. To validate the proposed concept, a prototype operating at 42 GHz was fabricated and measured. The measured 3‐dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth for the sum beam can cover a frequency range from 37 to 46 GHz. The measured gain for the sum beam at the center frequency of 42 GHz is 17.5 dBiC, while the null‐depth of the difference beam is measured to be ?36.8 dB. The proposed monopulse antenna has advantages of low‐cost, easy‐fabrication, and easy integration with planar circuits.     

A Wideband E‐plane Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna with Enhanced Gain

A novel method of steering antenna beam in its E‐plane is introduced and a design of wideband pattern reconfigurable antenna with enhanced gain is proposed in this paper. A bowtie antenna is used as the driven radiator, and two parasitic bowtie‐shaped microstrip stubs with two diodes are loaded beside each arm of the driven radiator. With the introducing of a low profile artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) beneath the bowtie radiator, unidirectional radiation pattern can be obtained. By altering the working states of the diodes, the main beam of the antenna can be switched in its E‐plane. The biasing circuit of the antenna is simple and easy to be implemented. The prototype of the antenna is fabricated, and good agreement can be observed between the simulated and measured results. Compared to other pattern reconfigurable antennas, the proposed antenna has advantages of a wide operating band, ability of beam switching in E‐plane, and high gain. These advantages makes it a good candidate for the wireless communication systems.