Novel UWB miniaturized integrated antenna based on CRLH metamaterial transmission lines

This article presents a novel ultra-wideband (UWB) miniaturized integrated antenna based on composite right/left-handed (CRLH) metamaterial (MTM) transmission lines (TLs). The antenna design is based on implementing the new inductive and capacitive components such as the spiral and rectangular inductors along with the metallic via holes and the engraved L and T-shaped slits that are constructed by the MTM technology and the standard manufacturing techniques on the engraved circuit board (ECB). With applying the proposed methods for designing the aforementioned components with proper and tuned dimensions the desirable specifications, i.e. size reduction, bandwidth extension and good radiation properties are provided. The antenna physical size is 22.6 mm × 5.8 mm × 0.8 mm or 0.037λ0 × 0.009λ0 × 0.001λ0 in terms of free space wavelengths at f = 0.5 GHz. The proposed structure covers the measured frequency bandwidth (S11 < −10 dB) from 0.5 GHz to 11.3 GHz for VSWR < 2, which corresponds to 183% practical bandwidth. Also, the measured radiation gains and efficiencies of the antenna at 0.5, 3, 5, 8 and 11.3 GHz are 1.5 dBi and 20%, 3.4 dBi and 45%, 4.8 dBi and 57%, 6.5 dBi and 88%, and 5.7 dBi and 73%, respectively. Main features of the fabricated antenna are unidirectional radiation patterns, low cost, light weight, low profile, simple constructing and compatibility and ease of integration with electronic devices.