NEXT GENERATION

ANTENNA DESIGN

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 CONTENT
• Antenna Arrays
• UWB Antenna
• Vivaldi Antenna
• Antennas In Medicine
 Implantable Antenna
 Ingestible antenna
 On Body Wearable Antenna
• Plasma Antenna

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 ANTENNA ARRAYS
• Antenna array is a group of antennas or antenna elements
arranged to provide the desired characteristics.

• Generally any combination of elements can form an array.

However, equal elements in a regular geometry are usually used.

• Total Field of the Array – Vector Addition of the fields of Individual

Elements

• Directive Patterns – Constructive Interference in desired

directions – Destructive Interference in Undesired Directions.

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 NEED FOR ARRAY ANTENNAS

• Antennas with directive characteristics – needed for long distance

communications.

• Enlarging the size of antenna results in directive patterns– However results

in large side lobes.

• High gain – More directive patterns

• Beam Forming – Tracking and Scanning

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ULTRAWIDE BAND DEFINITION
• An Ultrawideband signal is either a signal with a simultaneous bandwidth B
that satisfies the condition
B≥ 500MHz
• A signal with relative fractional bandwidth larger than 20%.
Br=

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ULTRAWIDE BAND ANTENNA

• UWB wireless communication transmits a huge amount of data over a

wide frequency spectrum.

• The replacement of multiple narrow-band antennas by a single UWB

antenna reduces multi-antenna interference and saves antenna space.

• Omni-directional UWB antennas enable efficient communication

between a transmitter and receiver in all directions.
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PRINCIPLES OF UWB
Time Domain Frequency Domain

• Extremely short pulses • Ultra wide spectrum

• Very low duty cycle • Low power spectral density

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 How UWB works?
• UWB is essentially an impact pulse with a low duty cycle.
• UWB pulse wireless transceiver generates a pulse sequence of a certain
repetition cycle in the sending end clock generator.
• Pulse sequence is modulated to drive the pulse generating circuit forming a
certain pulse shape
• It is then coupled to the UWB antenna emission.
• The receiver demodulates to generate the original output signal.

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ADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES
 Low cost and single chip architecture
 Spectrum
 Nearly all digital, simple analog module
 Use frequencies from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz
 Silicon based, standards-based radios
 Coexist with other users (sharing
 Non-interfering to other communication
spectrum)
systems
 High data rate in short range, high throughput
 It appears like noise for other systems
 500 Mbps at 10 feet
 Multipath immunity
 Path delay >> pulse width
 Low power
 Baseband modulation (no carrier)
 Long battery life of portable devices
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APPLICATIONS

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 APPLICATIONS IN WPAN
 Due to the wide bandwidth and high time resolution
UWB signals are much more robust to
interferences and multipath fading.
 The large channel capacity and wide bandwidth
offer wireless transmission of real-time high quality
multimedia files.
 The extremely small transmit power and the very
short communication distances result in a large
number of other advantages for WPAN applications.
 Since UWB signals are operating below the noise
floor, they provide better security, lower RF health
hazards, and lower interference to other systems
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 APPLICATIONS

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

 Because of Accurate timing information and
ultra wide bandwidth it is widely applicable
for the detection of unknown objects under
the ground.
 The UWB GPR is used to draw a map of gas
pipelines buried under ground by connecting
GPS system to the GPR UWB. GPR have
been intensively investigated for mine
detection.
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UWB ANTENNA DESIGN
• UWB antenna design is influenced by the radiation pattern used in a
communication system
• Increases the
Directional performance of the
radiation antenna
pattern • Reduces interference.

• Efficient communication
Omnidirectional •
Indoor wireless
radiation communication and
pattern mobile devices
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UWB ANTENNA

Wideband Patch Antenna

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UWB ANTENNA DESIGN - EXAMPLE

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UWB ANTENNA ARRAY
• Increasing the gain and lower the half-power beamwidth of the radiation pattern – replace
the single radiator by an antenna array.
• Its application in communications is interesting if, for example, a point-to-point connection
is to be established.
• It is of special interest in MIMO systems, where a channel capacity might be increased if
multiple radiators, either on the transmit or the receive side (or both).
• In radar systems an application of arrays is more common in order to achieve lower half-
power beamwidths, which in general are used to increase the angular resolution.
• Frequency and time domain models are explained and used for the practical array design.

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UWB ANTENNA ARRAY

Array factor in UWB systems

The resulting array radiation pattern depends on the following
parameters:
 number of array elements N
 distance between the elements d
 frequency f
 excitation coefficients – amplitude and phase
 radiation pattern of a single array element EF(f, ψ).
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UWB ANTENNA ARRAY

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VIVALDI ANTENNA
• Vivaldi antenna is a kind of antenna with tapered slots that provide great bandwidth,
and directional radiation pattern

• A Vivaldi antenna is a co-planar broadband-antenna made of a dielectric plate

metalized on both sides.

• The feeding line excites a circular space via a micro-strip line, terminated with
a sector-shaped area.

• Can be made for linear polarized waves or – using two devices arranged in
orthogonal direction – for transmitting / receiving both polarization orientations.

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PROTOTYPE OF VIVALDI ANTENNA
• A Vivaldi’s upper frequency is limited by the width of the gap, while the
lower frequency is limited by the size of the opening.

• The shape and size of the slot also determines the antenna’s radiation
pattern.

Circular
Dielectric
Space
Plate
Feed

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RADIATION MECHANISM

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 TYPES OF VIVALDI ANTENNA
1. CO-PLANAR VIVALDI ANTENNA

• Two Radiator planes on the same side of the dielectric material.

• Fed by aperture coupling

• The feeding of the antenna is on the narrow side slot.

• The opposite side to the beam direction is short-circuited by a λ/4-stub.

• The beam direction of the antenna is the direction in which the conical slot expands.

• Due to the large bandwidth, this antenna shape is suitable for ultra-wideband applications.

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TYPES OF VIVALDI ANTENNA

2. ANTI-PODAL VIVALDI ANTENNA

• One of the layer is printed on top and the other one which is tapered in opposite
direction is printed on the bottom of the dielectric substrate material.

3. BALANCED ANTI-PODAL VIVALDI ANTENNA

• Dielectric layer has been added on top of the anti-podal structure

• Additional metal plate just like the one in bottom of the antenna has been printed
on the top of the newly added layer 23
TYPES OF TAPER PROFILES

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RADIATION PATTERN OF VIVALDI
ANTENNA
• From the circular resonant area, the energy reaches an exponential
pattern via a symmetrical slot line.

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FEEDING TECHNIQUES

(a) Coaxial line (b) Microstrip

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ADVANTAGES
• Broadband characteristics (suitable for ultra-wideband signals)
• Low profile
• Symmetric radiation pattern
• Stable radiation pattern
• High directivity
• Easy manufacturing process using common methods
for PCB production
• Easy impedance matching to the feeding line using microstrip
line modeling methods.
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NEED FOR VIVALDI ANTENNA ARRAYS
• The single element Vivaldi antenna is unmatched throughout the
bandwidth which leads to much reflection from the antenna and the
antenna becomes unstable.

• Fairly low gain across both planes of radiation.

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VIVALDI ANTENNA ARRAYS
• Vivaldi antenna arrays have proven to be versatile solutions for
wideband, wide scan phased array systems.
• The increasing demand for using Vivaldi antenna arrays are Low-
profile and dispersion.

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APPLICATIONS
• Radar Cross Section Reduction in Aircrafts, missiles, ships, military
vehicles
• RCS - Ability of the target antenna to reflect signals in the direction of
the radar receiver

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DESIGN OF VIVALDI ANTENNA

• DSL—diameter of slot line cavity;

• WSL—width of slot line;
• WST—width of strip line;
• RST—radius of strip line stub;
• L—length of the taper;
• H—height of the taper;
• R—exponential factor; and
• d—height of the conductor.
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DESIGN OF VIVALDI ANTENNA
• The cavity diameter should be equal to 0.2λ times the minimum operating frequency.
• The flare height and length should be greater or equal to half wavelength at minimum
operating frequency.
• The taper rate can be defined by an exponential,

where,

a is the antenna aperture at L

S is the slot width at the antenna origin, R is the taper rate.

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 DESIGN OF VIVALDI ANTENNA
• Design a vivaldi antenna resonating at 9 GHz with exponential tapering
having a slot width of 0.4 mm and curve(tapered) length of 43.5 mm
using 1.6 mm thick FR-4 substrate with r =4.3. And also quatify how
the tapered length increases.

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SOLUTION
• L=W= 20mm
• Wa = 20mm, La=43.5 mm
• The taper rate are
y(1) = 0.22 mm
y(20)= 1.18mm
y(30)= 2.8mm
y(40)= 7mm
y(50)= 17.1 mm
y(55)= 26.7 mm

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BODY SENSOR NETWORK (BSN)
• A communication standard optimized for low power devices and
operation on, in or around the human body to serve a variety of
applications including medical, consumer electronics, personal, and
entertainment.

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 WIRELESS MONITORING SYSTEM
• The RF (radio frequency) front end- Comprises an antenna and an
RX/TX (receiving/transmitting) module for receiving/transmitting data
from/to the data monitoring unit
• Microcontroller-Processing the data received from the sensors and
sends them to block
• The sensor
• The power supply unit.

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APPLICATIONS OF ANTENNA

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 IMPLANTABLE ANTENNAS
• Implantable antennas are placed inside the human body continuous health monitoring
like reading brain activity, glucose level measurement, retinal prosthesis, and oral
implants.

• Implantable devices

Artificial joints

Breast implants

Cochlear implants

Pacemakers

Defibrillators 38
CHARACTERISTICS TO BE CONSIDERED

• Miniaturization

• Patient safety

• Power requirement

• Insulating the antenna radiator from body tissue

• Circular polarization

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CHALLENGES OF IMPLANTABLE ANTENNAS

• Implantable systems face more challenges and difficulties in designing antennas than

conventional wireless communication systems.

• Unlike free space, human body tissues are lossy and have large relative permittivity.

• Antenna size

• Radiation performance

• Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

• Frequency of operation
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CHALLENGES OF IMPLANTABLE ANTENNAS
Antenna Size

• Physically small enough to be compatible

• Inserted inside the human body

Radiation performance

Due to the high path loss, the implanted antenna should have gain as high as possible in the
desired direction to guarantee communication between the antenna and the external devices

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Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

High attenuation of the radiated power in the lossy surrounding

media generates heat in the human body tissues which could be
hazardous to health

Frequency of operation
Frequency

MICS ISM
402-405MHz 433 MHz, 2.4GHz 42
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 INGESTIBLE ANTENNA
• Biological statistical information in the form of images and videos is
gathered by camera and transmitted by the capsule antenna while passing
through the digestive system.
• Capsule endoscopy
• Used to examine Gastro-Intestinal
and digestive track

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PARTS IN INGESTIBLE ANTENNA
• Image sensor with a LED and Lens- capturing images
• transceiver -transmitting captured image data to the receiving unit
• Batteries-Power supply

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DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

• Conformal - Flexible biocompatible substrate materials used to embed

the antenna in cylindrical shaped capsule.

• Wide impedance bandwidth

• Effect of bio-tissue in antenna performance

• Orientation matching

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WEARABLE ANTENNAS

• Employing wearable antennas that can be fully integrated with clothes

and that can be used for remotely transmitting/receiving the sensor
data.

• Used to transmit heart rate, oxygen level, temperature and sugar level
of patients.
• nonwoven conductive fabrics and embroidery of conductive threads

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 PERFORMANCE OF ANTENNA

Requirements

Useful, comfortable, noninvasive, and unobtrusive

Performance:

• Characterization with human body tissues

• Frequency detuning and impedance matching

• Stable to structural deformation

• High gain and efficiency

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WEARABLE ANTENNA FABRICATION TECHNIQUES

• Conductive threads
• Electro-textiles
• Conductive inks

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PLASMA ANTENNAS

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 WHAT IS PLASMA ?
• Plasma is an ionized gas into which sufficient energy is provided to free electrons from
atoms or molecules and to allow both species, ions and electrons, to coexist.

• Fourth state of matter

• Ionized gas plasma antennas can be :

 Turned on and off
 Good for stealth
 Resistance to electronic warfare and cyber attacks.

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HOW DOES PLASMA ANTENNA WORKS?
• An RF Antenna which uses plasma element instead of metal conductor
is known as Plasma Antenna.

• The plasma antenna uses ionized gas enclosed in tube enclosure as

conducting element.

• When the gas is electrically charged or ionized to plasma state, it

becomes conductive.
• Ionized gas is very efficient conducting element with many benefits. 53
PLASMA ANTENNAS
• Plasmas with high electrical
conductivity helps the RF signals
to travel through them so that
they act as a driven element to
radiate radio waves, or to receive
them.

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SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION
• U-shaped lamp and ballast.
• Variable voltage transformer-
control plasma current and
density.
• Capacitive coupler is used
surrounding the lamp.
• Metal sleeve-RF coupling for FM
signal from plasma column to
coaxial cable to reach FM
receiver box.
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TYPES OF PLASMA ANTENNAS

• GAS PLASMA

•Consists of gas filled tubes

• SOLID STATE PLASMA-PLASMA SILICON ANTENNA (PSIAN)

•Consists of a large number of diodes embedded into a silicon chip.

•When current is passed, these diodes get charged resulting in the

creation of localized plasma, which is used to receive and transmit
signals.
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UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF PLASMA
ANTENNAS
• A single dynamic antenna structure can use time multiplexing so that
many RF subsystems can share one antenna resource.

• Our plasma antenna can transmit and receive from the same aperture
provided the frequencies are widely separated.

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HOW PLASMA ANTENNAS DIFFERENT
FROM OTHER ANTENNAS
• Plasma antennas are more efficient than conventional antennas, as they
have very low noise levels - this is due to the low collision rate
between the charge carriers.
• They are lighter and smaller in size
• These antennas do not need to be aligned.
• They can operate at very high frequencies
• Plasma antennas have no mechanical parts, unlike traditional antennas
• No ringing effect in plasma antenna
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DISADVANTAGES OF PLASMA ANTENNA

• Plasma volume must be stable and repeatable.

• Ionizer adds weight and volume.

• Ionizer increases power consumption.

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APPLICATIONS OF PLASMA ANTENNA
• Military applications
• Shipboard / submarine antenna replacements

• Unmanned air vehicle sensor antennas.

• Land- based vehicle antennas.

• Stealth aircraft antenna replacements.

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