Evaluation of Planar Elliptical Antenna Array with Inner Counter-elliptical Slot

Abstract

This paper presents and analyzes a low profile planar antenna array of elliptical elements with inner counter-elliptical slots. The antenna has single feed and provides two main directive radiation components (front and back), with gain higher than 7dBi and circular polarization (CP) over the entire 5 GHz ISM and UNII bands. This approach also cancels the null over the elevation plane, which makes it suitable for bidirectional communications, also for proximity coverage. The inner slot of elliptical shape provides three additional degrees of freedom to match the planar monopole and/or array in impedance and polarization over the desired frequency band. An electromagnetic (EM) model of the proposed antenna is developed for numerical analysis and optimization. The principle of operation and parametric study of the antenna are provided. The antenna is fabricated and experimental results are presented. The number of elements in the array are chosen according to the desired gain and the inner elliptical slot parameters (major Radius, elliptical Ratio and Rotation) scaled for impedance and polarization matching.