Medium-Sized Highly Coupled Planar Arrays with Maximum Aperture Efficiency

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Antenna Theory
• Electromagnetics

Background:

• Planar antenna arrays are essential for modern wireless communication systems.
• Achieving high aperture efficiency in compact arrays remains a significant challenge.
• The Internet of Things (IoT) demands efficient antennas for space-constrained devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new design technique for strongly coupled planar arrays.
• To maximize aperture efficiency for a given array footprint.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of this technique for medium-sized arrays.

Main Methods:

• Design of compact 2x2, 2x4, and 2x6 arrays based on an irregular 2x1 element.
• Utilizing strong and constructive mutual coupling between array elements.
• Fabrication and measurement of a prototype 2x4 array operating at 5.8 GHz.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 20% bandwidth in the prototype array.
• Demonstrated a record 100% aperture efficiency for similarly sized arrays.
• Showcased reduced physical footprint compared to conventional linear patch arrays.

Conclusions:

• The proposed technique enables the design of highly efficient, compact planar arrays.
• This innovation is particularly relevant for space-limited applications like the Internet of Things.
• The results represent a significant advancement in antenna array design for future wireless technologies.