In this paper, a small ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna with two stop bands by a compact electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) cell loaded with two new open meander slots is presented. With the coupling of the EBG cell to the feedline, the stop bands are formed. The designed EBG cell is a mushroom type that has the advantages of being able to independently control the stop bands, high responsiveness selectivity of stop bands, easy switching, the need for fewer EBG cells, and low impact on the working characteristics of the antenna. To have a better understanding of the proposed EBG mechanism, characteristic mode analysis is used. The size reduction of the suggested antenna is obtained by halving the reference antenna relative to the axis of symmetry. The measurement results for −10 dB adaptation are from 2.73 to 13 GHz with stop bands at 3.51 GHz (12.9%) and 5.34 GHz (14.1%). The radiation behavior of the minimized antenna is similar to that of a reference antenna. Minimized UWB antenna with transmission function and group delay with small variations in the operating frequency range is suitable for small multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and diversity systems.

By introducing an L-shaped metal plate connecting with the spiral monopole antenna, a planar compact ultra-high-frequency (UHF) tag antenna for radiofrequency identification system is proposed. With the overall antenna size of only 13 × 9 × 1.6 mm3, the proposed tag antenna provides the measured impedance bandwidth of 12 MHz to comply with Taiwan UHF operating band (922–928 MHz). The measured peak gain and antenna efficiency are approximately −1.1 dBi and 27% for Taiwan UHF band, respectively. Meanwhile, the measured reading distance can approach 250 m. Good tag sensitivity is obtained across the desired frequency band.

In this paper, the design of a broadband multi-layer microstrip antenna is presented. The broadband characteristics are the results of coupled resonances of the patch and transmission line through the resonant aperture. For this purpose, a cross-shaped transmission line, a ring slot, and a shaped ring patch are used. The simulation and measurement results indicate that a wide impedance bandwidth of 70% for |S11| < −10 dB and a perfect impedance matching 35% for |S11| < −20 dB are achieved. The gain is stable over the impedance bandwidth. The maximum gain of the proposed antenna is 8.8 dBi at 5 GHz. The radiation pattern, radiation efficiency, and cross-polarization are also suitable throughout the impedance bandwidth.

In urban target localization, the presence of walls creates virtual radars (VRs), which can be exploited to aid in localization process. The fact that multipath changes with the radar locations, which are referred to as aspect dependence property, enable us to find a radar location, which reduces wall uncertainties. This paper proposes single-antenna target localization in an enclosed structure taking advantage of VRs. Using ultra-wideband signals, we can resolve the target returns and estimate the correct location by solving monostatic loci at real and VR locations. Simulation results show that the method can precisely and accurately localize the target for a wide range of timing errors.

This study presents a simple switched-band impedance transformer using microstrip lines. The proposed circuit is suitable for loads with frequency-dependent complex impedances at two arbitrary operating frequencies. The transformer comprises two cascaded microstrip lines and two detachable shunt stepped-impedance stubs, which are separately connected to the main line via switching diodes such that provide good matching at one of the two operating frequencies and suppress unwanted signal at the other frequencies. The structure contains several user-set parameters such that designers can create a smaller circuit. The circuit parameters, except the user-set ones, are obtained using the derived design formula. The numerical simulations and experimental results agree well such that validate the proposed structure and the design formula.

In this paper, we investigate the scattering properties of an array of finite-length single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), up to terahertz frequencies. The problem is cast in terms of a Pocklington-like equation. The current density along the CNT is described by a quasi-classical transport model, recently proposed. The numerical solution is obtained by means of the Galerkin method. Case studies are carried out, either referred to isolated SWCNTs and an array of SWCNTs, aimed at investigating the frequency behavior of the scattered field.

This paper proposes planar antennas with quadri-polarization diversity using a pair of orthogonal linear polarizations and a pair of orthogonal circular polarizations (CP). A novel feeding network with four input ports and four output ports is presented, allowing antenna polarization diversity by selecting different input ports, which can generate right-handed CP, left-handed CP, horizontal linear polarization, and vertical linear polarization. The first design uses two square patch resonators to synthesize the four polarizations; the second design comprises four circularly polarized patches to synthesize the four polarizations with an improved axial-ratio (the ratio of orthogonal components of an E-field) bandwidth. The proposed designs do not require for embedding PIN diodes and DC-biasing circuits, making them suitable for use in higher-frequency applications where using lump elements would be difficult. The novel antennas provide potential polarization diversity features which can be used for many applications. Details of the antenna design are shown, and the measurement and simulation results are also provided to validate the proposed concept.

This paper reports on quasi-elliptic dual-band bandpass filters (BPFs) that were designed for the Filter Student Design Competition of the 2019 European Microwave Week. The proposed lumped-element (LE) BPF concept is based on two dual-band transversal cells and one multi-resonant cell that allow the realization of symmetric and asymmetric dual-band transfer functions shaped by six poles and five transmission zeros. A compact implementation scheme based on LE series resonators is proposed for size compactness and wide spurious free out-of-band response. For proof-of-concept demonstration purposes, a dual-band LE prototype with two passbands centered 1 and 1.5 GHz was designed, manufactured, and measured. It exhibited the following radio frequency measured performance characteristics. Passbands centered at 1.02 and 1.45 GHz, minimum insertion loss levels of 2.0 and 2.7 dB, and bandwidth of 146 and 105 MHz, respectively, for the first and the second passband, and out-of-band rejection >30 dB between 0 and 894 MHz, 1.17–1.34 GHz, and 1.72–6.9 GHz.

A novel planar printed phase shifter design is proposed in this paper. The design is developed with microstrip–conductor-backed coplanar waveguide– microstrip (MP–CBCPW–MP) transition line with different defected ground structures (DGS). The differential phase shift can be controlled by altering the DGS dimensions. Three prototypes with DGS dimensions 5 × 10, 10 × 20, and 10 × 30 mm2, are employed at the finite ground plane to achieve 5°, 20°, and 30° shift in phase respectively and are validated with the phase delay relation. The prominent effect of the transition region is to confine the field area. The resonance is at 700 MHz with a bandwidth of 400 MHz (0.4–0.8 GHz). The proposed phase shifter can be used for broadcasting applications. The proposed MP–CBCPW–MP transition phase shifter design with DGS is simulated, fabricated, and measured to analyze its performance.

In this paper, we present the results of using a frequency-stepped continuous-wave radar system to estimate the position of overlapping and electrically good conductive plates. We especially focus on polarimetric scattering effects caused by the step of a lap joint, which is a common welding-geometry. To model the step's contribution to the overall scattered signal, we use a two-dimensional combined field integral equation (CFIE) approach. For demonstrating its practical applicability, the implemented scattering model is verified by measurements. To emphasize the improvements of position estimation by using a CFIE approach, the outcomes of the model are compared to a commonly used point scattering model. Finally, the numerical signal is utilized to precisely estimate the position of the lap joint.

Detailed analysis of the polarization tracking modules for Ku band active phased array antennas is presented. The proposed transmitter (14.0–14.5 GHz) and receiver (12.25–12.75 GHz) modules are based on the low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technique, containing orthogonal dual channels with different phases controlled by phase shifters. The effect of amplitude and phase inconsistency between two channels on polarization tracking performance is analyzed. The validity of the analysis is verified by the measurements of the manufactured prototypes. The measured patterns of the active phased array antenna are given to illustrate the effects of the modules on polarization agility, which may be used for Ku band satellite antennas on mobile terminals.

Simple internal multiband monopole antenna with low specific absorption rate (SAR) for most wireless communication applications is presented in this paper. The proposed antenna is an unequal arms monopole antenna with a meander stripoin the other substrate side. The antenna has a simple structure and it is sufficiently small in size to be easily fitted on the housing of a mobile phone or a universal serial bus (USB) dongle with size 20 × 50 × 0.8 mm3. The antenna is designed to operate in different bands to cover most of allocated wireless communication bands in the frequency range from 0.9 to 6 GHz. The proposed antenna has an acceptable average gain of about 2.75 dBi and an average efficiency of about 85% while providing a monopole radiation pattern in both horizontal and elevation planes, with average half-power beam width of 65° in the elevation plane. The simulation and the experimental results of the antenna are in agreement. The SAR in the human head is investigated by using CST 2012 Microwave Studio Hugo Voxel Model.

In this paper, a new methodology to compare the robustness of sensor structures employed in radiofrequency design for test (RF DFT) architectures for RF integrated circuits (ICs) is proposed. First, the yield loss and defect level of the test technique is evaluated using a statistical model of the Circuit under Test (obtained through non-parametric statistics and copula theory). Then, by carrying out the dispersion analysis of the sensor architecture, a figure of merit is established. This methodology reduces the number of iterations in the design flow of RF DFT sensors and makes it possible to evaluate process dispersion. The case study is a SiGe:C BiCMOS LNA tested by a single-probe measurement.

This paper proposes a practical approach for developing a new class of compact slow-wave coplanar waveguide (CPW) series/shunt stubs, which offer 40% reduction in size relative to a conventional design. It demonstrates that the technique using interdigitated capacitive loading can provide size and cost reductions, while also providing performance enhancements such as better return loss. The experimental prototypes presented in this paper demonstrate the validity of the design method and the ability to print interdigitated capacitors inside the center conductor of the series/shunt stubs. The principle of achieving such high-quality circuits is detailed and is also confirmed by theoretical and experimental results, which are in reasonable agreement up to at least 70 GHz. The paper also presents a family of novel topologies of slow wave bandpass filters based on the proposed capacitively loaded CPW series/shunt stubs.

In this paper, the development and designing of angle-independent metamaterial microwave absorbers are presented. The unit cell consists of two concentric circle that are linked by consolidated resistors. The absorber is built on a dielectric substrate (FR4) with a thickness of 3.2 mm (λ/0.07) and a dielectric constant of 4.3. The wideband absorption is acquired in the range of 2.8 to 10.42 GHz with a wide band of 7.62 GHz with absorptivity above 90%. In the area of interest, a flat band is obtained, and to examine the current distribution and electric field in the respective region, two peaks are considered at a frequency of 3.66 and 9.54 GHz, with maximum absorptivity of 99.99% and 99.44%, respectively. The presented absorber is examined under different angles for phi and theta variation. From the phi variation, it is observed that for all the angles, absorptivity does not vary, which confirms that the absorber is acting as an angle independent. The fabricated sheet consists of an array of a unit cell, which is examined inside the anechoic chamber with the help of two horn antennas and vector network analyzer. The tested and simulated results are compared, and it was observed that they are close in their agreement. At the end of the manuscript, the presented and already reported arts are compared, and it is observed that the presented one operates for the low frequency with higher bandwidth. The presented absorber can be practically used for defense applications for Radar Cross Sections reduction.

In this work, a compact, wideband, circularly polarized wearable antenna is proposed using asymmetric coplanar strip feeding for wireless health monitor applications in the ISM frequency band. The proposed antenna consists of a composite right/left transmission line (CRLH TL) inspired structure to achieve compactness and a rectangular ring slot is created in the metallic ground to enhance the CP radiation of the antenna. A 5 × 5 artificial magnetic conductor unit cell-based metasurface is designed which is operating at 2.4 GHz as a ground plane for the CRLH-based CP antenna. Implementation of AMC-based metasurface as a ground plane results in enhancement of radiation characteristics of CRLH TL antenna. The proposed antenna has a small footprint of 50 × 50 mm2 with measured impedance bandwidth of 2.3–3.2 GHz. The 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 2.36–2.78 GHz with peak gain of 5.89 dBi. Simulation and experimental results show that proposed AMC-based antenna is robust in terms of structural deformation. Further, to validate the performance of the antenna for biomedical applications, we have simulated the proposed antenna with human phantom model. The proposed antenna exhibits stable scattering and radiation characteristics with the phantom body environment and due to the inclusion of AMC structure, the proposed design satisfies maximum specific absorption rate value given as per the IEEE standard safety guidelines.

In this paper, a metasurface (MS)-based multi-functional electromagnetic (EM) structure is proposed to realize its two different applications, namely absorption and radiation. The proposed structure is based on periodic arrays of disk-shaped metallic patches and split rings with four embedded lumped resistors. The metallic vias are inserted from top to bottom to connect the disk-shaped patches with a feeding network designed on the bottom layer where two p-i-n switches are embedded in the feeding network to alter the different functions of the proposed structure. For free space incident plan wave, the designed structure works as an absorber when the p-i-n switches are switched OFF. The absorber operates over a frequency band from 6.2 GHz to 8.2 GHz and unchanged over an incident angle from 0° to 30° for both TE and TM polarized incident waves. The same structure also works as a low scattering and high gain radiator when the p-i-n switches are turned ON and radiate within absorbing frequency band, i.e. from 7.5 to 8.0 GHz. The designed structure is fabricated and experimentally verified for EM absorption and radiation applications.

In this paper, a frequency selective surface (FSS) based shared-aperture antenna is designed for 5G/Wi-Fi applications. The 5G and Wi-Fi channel are separated to achieve different polarizations and simultaneous work. The proposed antenna is of ±45°-polarization in the 5G N79 band and vertical polarization in the Wi-Fi5.8 GHz band. The antenna is vertically stacked with the N79 band antenna located above the Wi-Fi band antenna. The N79 antenna is composed of FSS units with transmissive characteristics in the Wi-Fi band, and serves as an electromagnetically transparent surface to avoid blocking the Wi-Fi antenna. A prototype of our design is fabricated, assembled and tested, and measured results show that the prototype is able to cover the entire N79 band (4.1–5.2 GHz, 23.7%) and Wi-Fi5.8 GHz band (5.73–5.89 GHz, 2.8%). Measured average gain is 8.2 and 7.8 dBi in the N79 and Wi-Fi band, respectively, and radiation efficiency is over 86 and 80%. The proposed design exhibits separated channels, tri-polarizations, high gain and compact size, which is sufficient for regular 5G/Wi-Fi applications. The antenna also achieves a relatively wide and highly consistent signal coverage in the two bands, making it suitable for 5G/Wi-Fi multi-function communication and indoor 5G blind compensation.

A wideband tunable balanced phase shifter is achieved by utilizing varactor-loaded coupled lines (VLCLs)-embedded multistage branch-line structure. The tunable phase shift with low in-band phase deviation is attributed to the regulation in phase shift of the VLCLs and the horizontal microstrip lines in series. The wideband differential-mode (DM) impedance matching and common-mode (CM) suppression are due to multiple DM transmission poles and CM transmission zeros, which are brought about by the cascade of VLCLs and a microstrip line with short-circuited stubs in the DM-equivalent circuit and open-circuited stubs in the CM-equivalent circuit, respectively. Compared with the state-of-the-art tunable balanced phase shifters, the proposed design not only has the advantages of wide operating bandwidth (BW) with low in-band phase deviation but also has low insertion loss and easily fabricated structure. Theoretical analysis and design procedure were conducted, resulting in a prototype covering the frequency of 1.8 GHz. This prototype offers a tunable phase shift capability ranging from 0° to 90°. The prototype exhibits an operating BW of 45%, with a maximum phase deviation of ±6°. It also achieves a 10 dB DM return loss and CM suppression, while maintaining a maximum insertion loss of 2.5 dB.

A wideband antipodal Vivaldi antenna has been designed and optimized. A slight improvement is obtained by employing multiple metalense based on circular split-ring resonators to maximize the antenna gain with the maximum bandwidth. The designed antennas have been fabricated and characterized, showing good agreement with simulations. The maximum measured gain is $G = 12\;{\textrm{dB}}$, and the −10 dB bandwidth is from $f = 3\;{\textrm{GHz}}$ to $f = 13\;{\textrm{GHz}}$.