Abstract: Several solutions are presented to reduce the mutual coupling between two planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs) working in close radiocommunication standards and positioned on a finite-sized ground plane modeling the printed circuit board (PCB) of a typical mobile phone. First, the two PIFAs are designed on separate PCBs to, respectively, operate in the DCS1800 and UMTS bands. In a second step, they are associated on the top edge of the same PCB. Realistic arrangements are then theoretically and experimentally studied. Finally, several solutions are investigated to maximize the isolation. They consist in inserting a suspended line between the PIFAs' feedings and/or shorting points. All along this paper, several prototypes are fabricated and their performances measured to validate the obtained IE3D moment method-based simulation results

Abstract: A metamaterial paradigm for achieving an efficient, electrically small antenna is introduced Spherical shells of homogenous, isotropic negative permittivity (ENG) material are designed to create electrically small resonant systems for several antennas: an infinitesimal electric dipole, a very short center-fed cylindrical electric dipole, and a very short coaxially-fed electric monopole over an infinite ground plane Analytical and numerical models demonstrate that a properly designed ENG shell provides a distributed inductive element resonantly matched to these highly capacitive electrically small antennas, ie, an ENG shell can be designed to produce an electrically small system with a zero input reactance and an input resistance that is matched to a specified source resistance leading to overall efficiencies approaching unity Losses and dispersion characteristics of the ENG materials are also included in the analytical models Finite element numerical models of the various antenna-ENG shell systems are developed and used to predict their input impedances These electrically small antenna-ENG shell systems with idealized dispersionless ENG material properties are shown to be very efficient and to have fractional bandwidths above the values associated with the Chu limit for the quality factor without any degradation in the radiation patterns of the antennas Introducing dispersion and losses into the analytical models, the resulting bandwidths are shown to be reduced significantly, but remain slightly above (below) the corresponding Chu-based value for an energy-based limiting (Drude) dispersion model of the permittivity of the ENG shell

Abstract: A fully integrated solution providing scan-beam capability with a single antenna is presented in this paper for the first time. The proposed system includes a reconfigurable rectangular spiral antenna with a set of micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) switches, which are monolithically integrated and packaged onto the same substrate. The system is based on a single-arm rectangular spiral antenna, capable of changing its radiation pattern using radio frequency-MEMS (RF-MEMS) switches. The rectangular spiral and RF-MEMS switches are monolithically integrated on a conventional microwave substrate printed circuit board (/spl epsiv//sub r/=3.27 and tan/spl delta/=0.004) and quartz substrate (/spl epsiv//sub r/=3.78 and tan/spl delta/=0.0002). The spiral is made out of multiple lines, which are interconnected by RF-MEMS switches strategically located along the spiral. On activating these switches, the spiral overall arm length is changed and consequently its radiation beam direction is changed. The two proposed antennas radiate right hand circular polarization (RHCP) and left hand circular polarization (LHCP) for printed circuit board and quartz substrate respectively. The gain of the two antennas varies between 3/spl sim/6 dBi. They both satisfy the 3-dB axial ratio criterion at their operating frequency band, i.e., at 10 GHz and 6 GHz for the printed circuit board and the quartz substrate respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first truly reconfigurable printed antenna design using MEMS devices as active elements integrated in the same low loss substrate. The excellent performance of the proposed system emphasizes the importance of being able to integrate MEMS switches into the same low loss substrate for antenna applications. This technology pioneers the design of arbitrarily shaped reconfigurable antennas including the design of reconfigurable antenna arrays.

Abstract: With the proliferation of wireless devices in recent years, there is a growing need to test the operation and functionality of these various devices in different multipath environments, ranging from line-of-sight environment to a pure Rayleigh environment. In this paper we discuss how a reverberation chamber can be used to simulate a controllable Rician radio environment for the testing of a wireless device. We show that by varying the characteristics of the reverberation chamber and/or the antenna configurations in the chamber, any desired Rician K-factor can be obtained. Expressions for the desired K-factor as a function of the chamber and antenna characteristics will be presented. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the validity of these expressions, to show how the reverberation chamber can be used to simulate different multipath environments, and to show the realization of a controlled K-factor test facility. We present both a one-antenna and a two-antenna test configuration approach

Abstract: This paper presents the use of pin diodes to reconfigure the impedance match and modify the radiation pattern of an annular slot antenna (ASA). The planar antenna is fabricated on one side of a Duroid substrate and the microstrip feeding line with the matching network is fabricated on the opposite side of the board. The central frequency is 5.8 GHz and, by reconfiguring the matching circuit, the antenna was also designed to operate at 5.2 and 6.4 GHz. Pin diodes are also used to short the ASA in preselected positions along the circumference, thereby changing the direction of the null in the plane defined by the circular slot changes. As a proof of concept, two pin diodes are placed 45/spl deg/ on both sides of the feeding line along the ASA and the direction of the null is shown to align with the direction defined by the circular slot center and the diode. Consequently, a design that is reconfigurable in both frequency and radiation pattern is accomplished. Return loss and radiation pattern measurements and simulations are presented, which are in very good agreement.

Abstract: A new technique for designing dual-band reconfigurable slot antennas is presented. Dual-frequency operation is achieved by loading a slot antenna with two lumped variable capacitors (varactors) placed in proper locations along the slot. Loading the slot antenna with lumped capacitors shifts down the resonant frequencies of the first and second resonances of the antenna. However, these frequency shifts depend not only on the values of the capacitors, but also on their locations along the slot antenna. Here, it is shown that by choosing the locations of the varactors appropriately, it is possible to obtain a dual-band antenna whose first and second resonant frequencies can be controlled individually. In other words, the frequency of either the first or the second band can be fixed, while the other one is electronically tuned. Using such a design, an electronically tunable dual-band antenna is designed and fabricated using two identical varactors having a capacitance range of 0.5-2.25 pF. The antenna is shown to have a frequency ratio (f/sub R/=f/sub 2//f/sub 1/) ranging from 1.3 to 2.67. An important feature of this antenna is its consistent radiation pattern, polarization, and polarization purity at both bands and across its entire tunable frequency range.

Abstract: A design for an optically reconfigurable printed dipole antenna is presented. A wideband coplanar waveguide (CPW) to coplanar stripline (CPS) transition is used to feed the balanced printed dipole. Two silicon photo switches are placed on small gaps in both dipole arms equidistant from the centre feed. Light from two infrared laser diodes channelled through fiber optic cables is applied to the switches. With the gaps in the dipole bridged, the antenna resonates at a lower frequency. Measured return loss results that compare well to the simulated values are also presented, showing a frequency shift of nearly 40%. The change in bore-sight gain along with radiation patterns are also presented. Activating each switch individually results in a near 50/spl deg/ shift in beam nulls.

Abstract: A new ultrawideband (UWB) textile antenna designed for UWB wireless body area network (WBAN) applications is presented. Unlike previous textile antennas, these antennas offer a direct integration into clothing due to a very small thickness (0.5 mm) and flexibility. We have realized two different designs of textile antennas: coplanar waveguide fed printed UWB disc monopole and UWB annular slot antenna. To our knowledge, these are the first textile UWB antennas reported in the open literature. Measured return loss and radiation pattern characteristics of textile UWB antennas agree well with simulations. Moreover, measured transfer functions show that these textile antennas possess excellent transient characteristics, when operating in free space as well as on the human body. They can operate in the entire UWB band approved by the Federal Communications Commission (3.1-10.6 GHz)

Abstract: Two novel designs of planar elliptical slot antennas are presented. Printed on a dielectric substrate and fed by either microstrip line or coplanar waveguide with U-shaped tuning stub, the elliptical/circular slots have been demonstrated to exhibit an ultrawideband characteristic. The performances and characteristics of the proposed antennas are investigated both numerically and experimentally. Based on these analyses, an empirical formula is introduced to approximately determine the lower edge of the -10 dB operating bandwidth. It is also shown that these antennas are nearly omnidirectional over a majority fraction of the bandwidth.

Abstract: This work describes the integration of commercially available packaged radio frequency microelectromechanical system (RF MEMS) switches with radiation pattern reconfigurable microstrip antennas. Most applications of RF MEMS switches consider the switches as only circuit elements. In contrast, the implementation of packaged switches in this particular antenna must address not only the simple open/closed behavior of the switches but also their impact on the radiation characteristics of the reconfigurable antenna. Here, two Radant MEMS single-pole single throw (SPST) SPST-RMSW100 (packaged RF MEMS) switches are used to reconfigure the radiation patterns of a resonant square spiral microstrip antenna between endfire and broadside over a common impedance bandwidth. Switch insertion, matching network design, and other issues are addressed. Results for both simulated and measured antennas, as well as recommendations for future work in this area, are provided.

Abstract: A Fabry–Perot cavity (FPC) between a ground plane and a partially reflective surface (PRS) is used here to design array antennas with large distance between the radiating elements. This configuration provides some advantages: i) a reduction of the number of array elements to achieve high directivity; ii) large space between contiguous elements that may host a bulky feeding network as required for dual polarization or active antennas; iii) small coupling and easy feeding network designs because of the smaller number of elements with larger inter-element distance. We show that when designing the FPC antenna a frequency shift of the gain maximum may occur, especially in this sparse array configuration. We also show the existence of preferred distances between elements that controls both the directivity and the side lobe level, and how the presence of the FPC and the relaxed requirement of the interelement distance result in a lower interelement coupling. The presented dual polarized antenna comprises two interleaved 2 x 2 arrays placed in a 2-layer FPC, and exhibits a 19 dBi gain and 30 dB of isolation between the two ports over an operating bandwidth of approximately 5.7%, i.e., typical for patch antennas.

Abstract: Considerable work has been published to define the minimum possible antenna radiation Q as a function of the antenna size and gain. Many of the derivations assume an enclosing sphere and deal only with the fields external to this sphere. As a result, the limits tend to be overly optimistic, and realizable antennas generally have Q's considerably higher than the minimum values predicted by these theories. This paper defines stricter limits that apply to a class of antennas (or scatterers) consisting of any arrangement of conductors on a spherical surface. Energy stored within the sphere is included in the analysis. The minimum Q values are as much as three times the values based only on external fields. Recently published independent experimental data on electrically small antennas in this class reported Q values only slightly higher than the new limits provided in this paper

Abstract: The artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) and electromagnetic band gap (EBG) characteristics of planar periodic metallic arrays printed on grounded dielectric substrate are investigated. The currents induced on the arrays are presented for the first time and their study reveals two distinct resonance phenomena associated with these surfaces. A new technique is presented to tailor the spectral position of the AMC operation and the EBG. Square patch arrays with fixed element size and variable periodicities are employed as working examples to demonstrate the dependence of the spectral AMC and EBG characteristics on array parameters. It is revealed that as the array periodicity is increased, the AMC frequency is increased, while the EBG frequency is reduced. This is shown to occur due to the different nature of the resonance phenomena and the associated underlying physical mechanisms that produce the two effects. The effect of substrate thickness is also investigated. Full wave method of moments (MoM) has been employed for the derivation of the reflection characteristics, the currents and the dispersion relations. A uniplanar array with simultaneous AMC and EBG operation is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally.

Abstract: We analyze the impact of the matching network on compact multiple-input multiple-output systems. Existing studies have found that the matching network has a significant influence on the performance of multiple antenna systems when the antennas are in close proximity. However, none has examined the wide-band case. In this paper, we investigate the wide-band performance of four different matching networks for multiple dipole antennas. The performance of the matching networks is given in terms of the bandwidths of correlation and matching efficiency, which are extensions of the single-antenna concept of bandwidth to multiple antenna systems. We also investigate the impact of the propagation conditions on the matching and bandwidth. For a uniform two-dimensional (2-D) angular power spectrum, we find that while individual-port matching can achieve in excess of 3% fractional correlation bandwidth for envelope correlation of 0.5 at an antenna separation of 0.01lambda, multiport matching is required for efficiency bandwidth to exist for a return loss of -6 dB. Moreover, even with multiport matching, both correlation and efficiency bandwidths decrease drastically at small antenna separations. At 0.01lambda, the correlation and efficiency bandwidths are 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively. Similar evaluations were performed for measured outdoor-to-indoor channels with moderate to small 2-D angular spreads. We find that the efficiency advantage of multiport matching over individual-port matching diminishes with decreasing angular spread

Abstract: We derive the exact probability density functions (pdf) and distribution functions (cdf) of a product of n independent Rayleigh distributed random variables. The case n=1 is the classical Rayleigh distribution, while n/spl ges/2 is the n-Rayleigh distribution that has recently attracted interest in wireless propagation research. The distribution functions are derived by using an inverse Mellin transform technique from statistics, and are given in terms of a special function of mathematical physics, the Meijer G-function. Series forms of the distribution function are also provided for n=3, 4, 5. We also derive a computationally simple moment-based estimator for the parameter occurring in the distribution, and evaluate its variance.

Abstract: This paper studies differentially-driven microstrip antennas. The theory of microstrip antennas based on the improved cavity model is expanded to analyze the input impedance and radiation characteristics of the differentially-driven microstrip antennas. The differentially-driven microstrip antennas were fabricated. Their performances were experimentally verified. Results show that the occurrence of resonance for the differentially-driven microstrip antennas also depends on the ratio of the separation /spl xi/ of the dual feeds to the free-space wavelength /spl lambda//sub o/. When the dual feeds are located far from each other /spl xi///spl lambda//sub o/>0.1, the resonance occurs, and the input resistance at resonance is rather large. However, when the dual feeds are located near to each other /spl xi///spl lambda//sub o/<0.1, the resonance does not occur, the input resistance is quite small, and the input impedance is inductive. Compared with single-ended microstrip antennas, the differentially-driven microstrip antennas have larger resonant resistance, similar co-polar radiation patterns, and lower cross-polar radiation component.

Abstract: A breadboard of a three-layer printed reflectarray for dual polarization with a different coverage in each polarization has been designed, manufactured, and tested. The reflectarray consists of three layers of rectangular patch arrays separated by a honeycomb and backed by a ground plane. The beam shaping for each polarization is achieved by adjusting the phase of the reflection coefficient at each reflective element independently for each linear polarization. The phase shift for each polarization is controlled by varying either the x or y patch dimensions. The dimensions of the rectangular patches are optimized to achieve the required phase shift for each beam at central and extreme frequencies in the working band. The reflectarray has been designed to produce a contoured beam for a European coverage in H-polarization in a 10% bandwidth, and a pencil beam to illuminate the East Coast in North America in V-polarization. The measured radiation patterns show that gain requirements are practically fulfilled in a 10% bandwidth for both coverages, and the electrical performances of the breadboard are close to those of a classical dual gridded reflector

Abstract: Reconfigurability in an antenna system is a desired characteristic that has been the focus of much research in recent years. In this work, ohmic contact cantilever RF-MEMS switches are integrated with self-similar planar antennas to provide a reconfigurable antenna system that radiates similar patterns over a wide range of frequencies. The different issues encountered during the integration of the MEMS switches and the overall system design procedure are described herein. The final model radiates at three widely separated frequencies with very similar radiation patterns. The proposed concept can be extended to reconfigurable linear antenna arrays or to more complex antenna structures with large improvements in antenna performance.

Abstract: A new particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique for electromagnetic applications is proposed. The method is based on quantum mechanics rather than the Newtonian rules assumed in all previous versions of PSO, which we refer to as classical PSO. A general procedure is suggested to derive many different versions of the quantum PSO algorithm (QPSO). The QPSO is applied first to linear array antenna synthesis, which is one of the standard problems used by antenna engineers. The performance of the QPSO is compared against an improved version of the classical PSO. The new algorithm outperforms the classical one most of the time in convergence speed and achieves better levels for the cost function. As another application, the algorithm is used to find a set of infinitesimal dipoles that produces the same near and far fields of a circular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). In addition, the QPSO method is employed to find an equivalent circuit model for the DRA that can be used to predict some interesting parameters like the Q-factor. The QPSO contains only one control parameter that can be tuned easily by trial and error or by suggested simple linear variation. Based on our understanding of the physical background of the method, various explanations of the theoretical aspects of the algorithm are presented

Abstract: We report the design of a directive antenna using the electromagnetic resonances of a Fabry-Perot cavity The Fabry-Perot cavity is made of a ground plane and a single metallic grid The resonance is excited by a patch antenna placed in the cavity at the vicinity of the ground plane The two remarkable features of Fabry-Perot cavity antennas are, first, that they are very thin and second that only one excitation point is needed A directivity of about 600 is measured at f=1480 GHz which is to our knowledge one of the highest directivities reported for an antenna using Fabry-Perot resonances

Abstract: The present paper deals with a new efficient approach in order to assess the simulation of scattered fields from arbitrary metallic objects. The basic idea is to combine a ray tracing algorithm with the principles of physical optics (PO) and the physical theory of diffraction (PTD). The ray tracing algorithm stochastically launches discrete rays and uses a ray density normalization. In order to perform simulations at finite objects the PO/PTD formulation is required. Thus, fast intersection routines can be implemented, while the ray density formulation reduces the PO and PTD integrals to a pure sum of ray contributions. Simulation results obtained with this model are verified by comparison with both exact simulations using a method of moments (MoM) code and measurement results, proving an excellent accuracy and fast computation even at complex objects. With this asymptotic approach, scattering properties of large objects that are too complex for exact methods can be analyzed with rather moderate computation efforts. Typical applications include the simulation of low observability (LO) designs as well as the generation of databases for identifying unknown aircraft by their radar signature.

Abstract: A novel band-rejected ultrawideband antenna with one parasitic strip is presented in this paper. It is designed to work on a substrate FR4 that has a thickness of 1 mm and relative permittivity of 4.6, and to operate from 3 to 17 GHz. The proposed antenna is fed by microstrip line and utilizes the parasitic strip to reject the frequency band (5.15-5.825 GHz) limited by IEEE 802.11a and HIPERLAN/2. The size of the antenna is 20/spl times/20 mm/sup 2/ and this antenna has good radiation characteristics. Effects of varying the location and length of the parasitic strip and the structure of the ground and monopole patch on the antenna performance have also been studied.

Abstract: This paper introduces an efficient domain decomposition algorithm for the solution of time-harmonic electromagnetic fields arising in three dimensional, finite-size photonic band gap and electromagnetic band gap structures. The method is based on the finite element approximation and a nonoverlapping domain decomposition method. A set of "cement" unknowns on the inter-domain interfaces has been explicitly introduced to enforce the appropriate field continuities. The introduction of these extra unknowns allows for nonconforming/nonmatching triangulations across domain, eliminating the need for periodic mesh. To ensure and improve the convergence of the outer iteration loop, Robin transmission condition is used to communicate information across interfaces. The resulting system of equations is solved with a fast algorithm that loosely resembles the well known finite element tearing and interconnecting algorithm. In this algorithm, the method solves, in the preprocessing step, for the Robin primal subdomain problems multiple times, by exciting one dual unknown at a time. This step generates an iteration matrix that is then used to update the dual unknowns in the outer-loop iteration. The present method becomes extremely efficient for problems with geometric repetitions, such as, photonic and electromagnetic band gap structures.

Abstract: The electromagnetic interaction between the antenna and the human head is reduced with metamaterials. Preliminary study of SAR reduction with metamaterials is performed by the finite-difference time-domain method with lossy Drude model. It is found that the specific absorption rate (SAR) in the head can be reduced by placing the metamaterials between the antenna and the head. The antenna performances and radiation pattern with metamaterials are analyzed. A comparative study with other SAR reduction techniques is also provided. The metamaterials can be obtained by arranging split ring resonators (SRRs) periodically. In this research, we design the SRRs operated at 900 and 1800 MHz bands. The design procedure will be described. Numerical results of the SAR values in a muscle cube with the presence of SRRs are shown to validate the effect of SAR reduction. These results can provide helpful information in designing the mobile communication equipments for safety compliance

Abstract: We discuss patch antenna miniaturization using magnetodielectric substrates. Recent results found in the literature reveal that with passive substrates advantages over conventional dielectric substrates can only be achieved if natural magnetic inclusions are embedded into the substrate. This observation is revised and the physical background is clarified. We present a detailed discussion concerning magnetic materials available in the microwave regime and containing natural magnetic constituents. The effects of magnetic dispersion and loss are studied: constraints on the microwave permeability are used to estimate the effect of magnetic substrates on the achievable impedance bandwidth. Microwave composites filled with thin ferromagnetic films are considered as a prospective antenna substrate. We calculate the impedance bandwidth of a lambda/2-patch antenna loaded with the proposed substrate, and challenge the results against those obtained with conventional dielectric substrates. The results are verified using full-wave simulations, and it is shown that the radiation quality factor is strongly minimized with the proposed substrate even in the presence of realistic losses. Estimates for the radiation efficiency are given as a function of the magnetic loss factor

Abstract: A compact single layer monopulse microstrip patch antenna array for the application of monopulse radar has been designed, manufactured and tested. The array, the monopulse comparator and the feed network are placed on the same layer, resulting in a very compact structure. The limitation of this structure is discussed. The effects of spurious radiation and blockage caused by the comparator on the sidelobe level are estimated. A space mapping (SM) technique is applied to design microstrip subarray. The bandwidth (VSWR<2) of the antenna is 5.6%, the operating frequency is between 13.85-15.1 GHz and the designed central frequency is 14.25 GHz. Our measurements show that, both for the E plane and for the H plane, the sidelobe levels of the sum pattern are less than -17 dB, and the null depths of the difference pattern are less than -30 dB. The maximum gain at the operating frequencies is 24.5 dBi.

Abstract: A novel dual polarized ultrawide-band (UWB) feed with a decade bandwidth is presented for use in both single and dual reflector antennas. The feed has nearly constant beam width and 11 dBi directivity over at least a decade bandwidth. The feed gives an aperture efficiency of the reflector of 66% or better over a decade bandwidth when the subtended angle toward the sub or main reflector is about 53/spl deg/, and an overall efficiency better than 47% including mismatch. The return loss is better than 5 dB over a decade bandwidth. The calculated results have been verified with measurements on a linearly polarized lab model. The feed has no balun as it is intended to be integrated with an active 180/spl deg/ balun and receiver. The feed is referred to as the Eleven antenna because its basic configuration is two parallel dipoles 0.5 wavelengths apart and because it can be used over more than a decade bandwidth with 11 dBi directivity. We also believe that 11 dB return loss is achievable in the near future.

Abstract: A circularly polarized rectangular stair shaped dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is presented. The DRA is excited by a narrow rectangular slot and rotated 45/spl deg/ with respect to the sides of the DRA to generate circular polarization. A parametric study of the length to width ratio to optimize the axial ratio bandwidth is given. A 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 10.6% is achieved when the length to width ratio is 1.9.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the effective number of degrees of freedom (ENDF) of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel and the number of degrees of freedom (NDF) of the field. In particular, the NDF of the field represents an upperbound for the ENDF of a MIMO channel. Consequently, the evaluation of the maximum ENDF can be carried out by adopting the literature on the NDF based on the spatial bandlimitation properties of the field. This approach allows a simple and intuitive explanation of the maximum ENDF in a MIMO channel based on a geometrical interpretation of the spatial channel in terms of (spatial) Nyquist intervals.