volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

Nowadays, a planar antenna for engineering and scientific fields is necessary for state-of-the-art energy harvesting applications. In this study, we present an ultra-wideband (UWB) microstrip antenna for different radio frequency (RF) applications, besides an energy harvesting rectifier section to charge operational low-power devices at 2.45 GHz. This antenna is used as a broadband antenna starting from 2.1 up to 7 GHz for worldwide interoperability of microwave access (WiMAX), wireless local area networks (WLAN), and ISM applications. It also covers frequency bands of 3.3-3.8 and 4.8-5 GHz for 5G mobile systems' upper and lower frequency bands, respectively. The engineered antenna comprises an octagon-shaped radiator patch, circular slots backed with a defected ground structure (DGS), and finally, a copper-reflected layer at a distance of 26 mm from the radiator patch. It is fabricated on an FR4 dielectric substrate with overall dimensions of 47 × 47 × 1.6 mm³. The antenna is engineered using the Microwave Studio Computer Simulation Technology (CST) electromagnetic (EM) simulator. It was tested using the ZVA 67 Rohde & Schwarz vector network analyzer (VNA). The measurement results demonstrate that the designed antenna fulfills a broad bandwidth with input reflection coefficient values (S₁₁) ≤ -10 dB from 2.1 to 7 GHz, besides three frequency resonances at 2.45, 3.8, and 5.88 GHz, respectively. A rectifier circuit modeling for the proposed design has been executed using the Advanced System (ADS) toolbox to implement an equivalent circuit for the manufactured antenna at the ISM band (2.45 GHz). The peak conversion efficiency for the designed rectenna is 98.5% at -10 dBm and 95.8% at 0 dBm under the load resistance of 50 kΩ. The fabricated prototype achieves omnidirectional and/or bidirectional measured radiation patterns in both E and H planes with stable high peak gain values of nearly 8 dB within the entire bandwidth. A comparison between the proposed antenna's prototype and the other presented in recent literature is reported to validate the design consistency.

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Dr. Hesham Abd El-Hakim

Dr. Mohamed Morgan

Mr. Hesham Abd Elhady Mohamed

Dr. Mohamed Hussien Moharam