Characterization of an aperture-stacked patch antenna for ultra-wideband wearable radio systems

摘要

This paper presents, for the first time, the time-domain characteristics of an aperture-stacked patch antenna (ASPA) for ultra-wideband (UWB) wearable devices. The methodology of antennas characterization for UWB radio systems is also outlined. The antenna operates within the 3-6 GHz frequency band. Time- and frequency-domain characteristics of this antenna are presented in transmission mode (Tx), receiving mode (Rx) and for 2-antenna (Tx-Rx) system. The pulse driving the antenna has duration of 0.65 ns. In the Tx mode, pulses radiated in different directions of the H-plane have very similar shapes. Fidelity factors are as high as 91.6-99.9percent. For 2-antenna system, pulses received in normal and end-fire-like directions have the fidelity of 69.5percent. As it was found, antenna does not behave "reciprocal" comparing Tx and Rx modes. For normal propagation direction, radiated pulse is the 2nd derivative of the input waveform, but in the Rx mode, received pulse is the 1st derivative of the incident plane wave. This antenna can be used for transmission of short-pulses, even 0.65-1 ns in duration. It is also small (patch planar dimensions 32/19 mm) and compact. Microstrip configuration allows further integration of active devices on the same board. Taking into account above results we can say that ASPA is a good candidate for UWB non-invasive wireless body area network (WBAN) applications.