Design and analysis of optically transparent high gain grid array antenna for vehicular communications

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Electromagnetics
• Antenna Theory

Background:

• Vehicular communication demands antennas with aesthetic integration and high performance.
• Conventional multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas face limitations in vehicular applications.
• Grid array antennas (GAAs) offer advantages like higher gain and directivity over MIMO.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a transparent, high-gain grid array antenna (GAA) for vehicular communication systems.
• To integrate the benefits of GAAs and transparent antenna technology for modern vehicles.
• To evaluate the antenna's performance and suitability for automotive applications.

Main Methods:

• Design and development of a 29-element transparent GAA operating in the X-band (8-12 GHz).
• Utilization of Taylor synthesis for amplitude tapering to achieve a specific side lobe level.
• Simulation of antenna performance using a virtual automobile model to assess housing effects.

Main Results:

• The transparent GAA achieved a peak gain of 17 dBi at 12 GHz with a side lobe level of -19.2 dB.
• The antenna exhibited an E-plane half-power beamwidth of 7.9° and an H-plane beamwidth of 173.6°.
• The proposed antenna demonstrated suitability for advanced driver assistance systems, automotive radar, and V2X communication.

Conclusions:

• The transparent GAA provides an efficient solution for modern vehicular communication, offering aesthetic integration and space savings.
• The antenna's design is ideal for applications requiring high gain and directivity in vehicles.
• The study confirms the GAA's potential for enhancing vehicular communication systems through its unique properties.