Thin Circularly Polarized Slot Array Antenna for High-Band UWB Applications

Abstract

This paper presents a thin 2 × 2 circularly polarized slot array antenna that operates in the high-band ultra-wideband (UWB) system. The proposed antenna is composed of three parts: a top metal part that consists of an L-shaped slot structure, a dielectric substrate, and a bottom floating metal layer. The design model and characteristics of the antenna element and array antenna are investigated through simulation and measurement. Experimental results show that the maximum gain of the prototype array antenna is 6.94 dBi at 9.02 GHz. The antenna size is 29.2 mm × 31.7 mm, and its thickness is 1.636 mm. By using a slot antenna structure, a thin circularly polarized antenna (thickness: 1.636 mm) with high gain was demonstrated. The antenna characteristics qualify the antenna to be used in high-band UWB applications.