Design and Implementation of a Multiband Metamaterial-Loaded Reconfigurable Antenna for Wireless Applications

Saraswat, Ritesh Kumar; Kumar, Mithilesh

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/3888563

International Journal of Antennas and Propagation

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Abstract Introduction Results and Discussion Conclusions Data Availability Conflicts of Interest Acknowledgments References Copyright Related Articles

Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2021 | Article ID 3888563 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/3888563

Design and Implementation of a Multiband Metamaterial-Loaded Reconfigurable Antenna for Wireless Applications

Ritesh Kumar Saraswat¹and Mithilesh Kumar²

Academic Editor: Trushit Upadhyaya

Received31 Oct 2021

Revised30 Nov 2021

Accepted02 Dec 2021

Published13 Dec 2021

Abstract

This article presents a multiband antenna with the implementation of a metamaterial split-ring resonator (SRR), quasicomplementary split-ring resonator (CSRR), and slots to achieve octaband characteristics for wireless standards. Multiband features are accomplished by the implementation of the slot approach within the radiating section part and loading the SRR and CSRR cells. The electrical dimension is 0.256λ × 0.176 λ × 0.0128λ (32 × 22 × 1.6 mm³) of the proposed design, at a lower frequency of 2.4 GHz. The proposed design indicates the frequency-band reconfigurability nature by using the switching PIN diode placed at the slotted section of the ground plane. During the OFF state of switching, the element structure resonates in eight wireless communication bands covering various high-speed multiple applications of Internet of Things (IoT) regarding wireless standards S-band WLAN (WiFi, Bluetooth, Z-wave, wireless HART, and WBAN), lower C-band (WAIC, satellite communication transmission application), C-band WLAN, X-band (ITU region 2), Ku-band (direct broadcast satellite system and terrestrial microwave communication system service), and K-band (radar communication application) at 2.4, 4.3, 5.8, 8.5, 11.1, 13.9, 16.1, and 18.9 GHz, respectively, with S₁₁ ≤ −10 dB. The antenna achieves an optimum peak gain of 4.23 dBi and radiation efficiency of 82.78% at operating frequency regarding wireless standards. The average efficiency of the proposed design is more than 70% for all resonant modes. The radiation characteristics (gain/efficiency/patterns/impedance matching) are shown in the stable and improved form at achieved wireless modes.

1. Introduction

In recent years, research has been focused on designing a wireless communication system with a multiband antenna because of its compactness in size, high data transmission rate, and low cost. It is very much required to combine multiband and miniaturization features within a single antenna design to operate multiple wireless applications. Antenna miniaturization and multiband configuration are achieved by using techniques such as the feeding approach [1–3], slotting approach [4–10], metamaterial cell insertion [11–17], and fractals [18]. The slot formation in the antenna design provides miniaturization and also multiple operating wireless standards due to the effect of current perturbation [19–21]. The multiband characteristics are also created by the implementation of the metamaterial cells (SRR/CSRR- negative permeability/permittivity characteristics). Various multiband antennas with metamaterial loading have also been reported in the last few years [22–24]. Sharma et al. [22] proposed a multiband antenna using a metamaterial loading technique to cover the WLAN/WiMAX applications. Also, a number of metamaterial-inspired antennas with multiple wireless communication bands have been reported [23–25]. A miniaturized quad-band antenna based on the fractal, slot, and metamaterial-inspired approach has been implemented [26]. In addition, there are several research activities focused on the reconfigurability characteristics with a metamaterial-loaded multiband antenna [27, 28]. The antenna in [27] has size compactness with metamaterial structures and represents the reconfigurability for wireless standards. Multiband antenna performance with frequency-band reconfigurability is achieved by using a vertex-fed technique for an SRR-shaped structure [28]. In [28], an octagonal-shaped split-ring resonator-based vertex-fed multiband antenna with a slotted ground plane in conjunction with a PIN diode (reconfigurability characteristics) is designed/analyzed to operate at six bands so as to attain various wireless standards. By selecting between the ON/OFF state of the PIN diode, the ground slots are electrically connected or disconnected. For simulation, the diode sets an ohmic resistance of 2.6 Ω in the forward-biased state. On the other hand, the diode sets a capacitance of 0.16 pF in the reverse-biased state. Multiband antennas are proposed in [29, 30] for multiple wireless applications by employing the DGS (defected ground structure) and metamaterial loading schemes within antenna designs.

This article primarily focuses on antenna miniaturization regarding radiating area and antenna volume. Antenna miniaturization is achieved by inserting slotted SRR-based geometry (second iterative) inside the radiating patch area and reducing the dimensions of the design. Next, implementing the rectangular-shape quasicomplementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) cell within the feedline and use of a split-ring resonator (SRR) with the trapezoidal shape slotted ground plane approach yielded operating bands 2.34–2.82 GHz (18.60%), 3.84–4.53 GHz (16.49%), 5.61–5.985 GHz (6.47%), 7.89–8.79 GHz (10.79%), 10.46–12.84 GHz (20.43%), 13.84–14.50 GHz (4.66%), 15.69–17.37 GHz (10.16%), and 18.21–19.86 GHz (8.67%) during the simulation mode and 2.36–2.74 GHz (14.90%), 3.92–4.42 GHz (11.99%), 5.69–5.981 GHz (4.99%), 7.93–8.77 GHz (10.06%), 10.52–12.68 GHz (18.62%), 13.89–14.42 GHz (3.74%), 15.81–17.29 GHz (8.94%), and 18.22–19.64 GHz (7.50%) under the measurement mode for IoT applications in wireless standards S-band WLAN, lower C-band, C-band WLAN (5.8 GHz—IEEE 802.11a), lower X-band, upper X-band, lower Ku-band, upper Ku-band, and lower K-band, respectively. An RF PIN diode is employed at the place of an inverted Z-shaped slot of the ground plane regarding the frequency-band reconfigurability for wireless standards. In the OFF and ON states of the diode, the proposed design represents the octaband and pentaband behavior, respectively.

2. Antenna Design and Configuration

The proposed metamaterial-inspired multiband antenna with its design steps and S-parameter analysis is indicated in Figures 1–4, respectively. The antenna is implemented on an FR4 substrate with a dielectric constant of 4.4. The length, width, and thickness of the substrate on which the radiating element is printed are 32 mm, 22 mm, and 1.6 mm.

The antenna miniaturization with multiband operations is identified in the following design steps: Design step-I: first, an octagonal-shape antenna with dimensions 35 × 28 × 1.6 mm³ is designed as depicted in Figure 1 (antenna configuration—“a”). This design represents the UWB operation with impedance bandwidth 11.11 GHz (2.83–13.94 GHz, 132.49%) in the simulation mode as illustrated in Figure 2. Antenna configuration—“a” is miniaturized with respect to the antenna size and active patch area by the implementation of the slotted radiating part (four octagonal-shaped conducting rings) and reduction of antenna dimensions (length and width), as shown in Figure 1 (antenna configuration—“b”). This miniaturized UWB antenna has dimensions 32 × 22 × 1.6 mm³ and an operating bandwidth of about 11.12 GHz (2.85–13.97 GHz, 132.22%) during the simulation process, as represented in Figure 2. It is observed that both the antenna configurations “a” and “b” have almost equal operating bandwidth for UWB range, but the configuration “b” exhibits the miniaturized form as compared to configuration “a.” The miniaturization calculation regarding the active patch area and volume for antenna configuration “b” as compared to configuration “a” is analyzed in Table 1. It is identified from Table 1 that the miniaturization is successfully achieved as per the design evolution from antenna configuration “a” to “b.” Design step-II: by applying the etching process to create the single quasicomplementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) in the trapezoidal shape feedline, the triple-band characteristics 3.01–4.22 GHz (S-band WiMAX), 4.97–6.28 GHz (C-band WLAN), 7.25–15.35 GHz (X-band), and 17.49–19.38 GHz (lower K-band) are derived for IoT-based wireless applications in design step-II, as depicted in Figures 3 and 4 (antenna configuration—“B”). The respective CSRR structure provides the current perturbation effect in the antenna structure to achieve the multiple resonating band (quadraband) features. Design step-III: to achieve more multiple wireless standards, a slotted ground (S-shaped slot and rectangular slot on the ground plane) approach with a rectangular SRR cell is implemented, as illustrated in Figure 3 (antenna configuration—“C and D”). The etching of the rectangular and S-shaped slot on the ground plane and loading the SRR cell further affect the current distribution in the proposed design, thereby creating the antenna configuration—“D” regarding octaband characteristics for IoT applications in wireless communication modes S-band WLAN (2.34–2.82 GHz: IEEE 802.11b—WiFi, Bluetooth, Z-wave, wireless HART, and WBAN), lower C-band (3.84–4.53 GHz: WAIC, avionic satellite communication transmission application), C-band WLAN (5.61–5.985 GHz: IEEE 802.11a), lower X-band (7.89–8.79 GHz: Earth exploration-satellite service ITU region 2), upper X-band (10.46–12.84 GHz: amateur radio satellite operating band), lower Ku-band (13.84–14.50 GHz: direct broadcast satellite system), upper Ku-band (15.69–17.37 GHz: terrestrial microwave communication system service), and lower K-band (18.21–19.86 GHz: radar communication application) wireless standards, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. By placing the single SRR structure with a slotted ground plane, two narrow resonant bands at 2.42 and 5.81 GHz for S-band and C-band WLAN, respectively, are obtained. The solenoidal conducting current is present inside the SRR branches to produce the magnetic effect regarding negative permeability features. In order to make the reconfigurability nature, a PIN diode is placed inside the S-shaped slot at the ground plane (Figure 3: antenna configuration—“D”) and the penta-/octaband configuration during ON/OFF states of the PIN diode, respectively, is accomplished, as depicted in Figure 5. The biasing condition (ON/OFF states) generates the current perturbation phenomenon in the structure to achieve the reconfiguration mode [27, 28].

The top, side, and bottom layouts (as per design step-III: antenna configuration—“D”) of the proposed antenna are further illustrated in Figure 6. The proposed antenna has a compact size of 32 × 22 × 1.6 mm³ with a slotted octagonal-shape radiating patch fed by a trapezoidal-shape feedline (Z_o = 50 Ω), single quasi-CSRR (etched inside the feedline) and slotted ground loaded with a rectangular SRR cell. The optimized parametric dimensions (in mm) are mentioned in Table 2.

(a)

(b)

(c)

The antenna is simulated and characterized using the finite-element-based electromagnetic solver, CST Microwave Studio (MWS) [31]. The top and rear view of the fabricated antenna are shown in Figure 7.

(a)

(b)

The application of DC potential at the metallic strip (dimension of 2 × 0.6 mm², as shown in Figure 6(c)) for the biasing of PIN diodes affects the RF current and offers another path for the RF current to flow. The arrangement of the diode, strip, and blocking capacitor (100 pF) is set up in a series formation and established at the slotted ground section. The use of a blocking capacitor is to generate the isolation effect for the RF signal from the DC part. The reconfiguration mechanism is performed by using a beam lead PIN diode (ALPHA-6355) according to the DC potential (0.7 V) applied. The frequency-band reconfigurability characteristics depend on the diode switching; in forward bias (ON state), the diode works as a series combination of resistance R_CCF = 2.6 Ω and inductance L_FR = 0.6 nH, and in reverse bias (OFF state), it works as a parallel combination of capacitance C_RE = 0.081 pF and resistance R_CCR = 5 kΩ with a series inductance of 0.6 nH [32], as depicted in the equivalent model in Figures 8(a) and 8(b).

(a)

(b)

An experimental observation of various parameters of the proposed antenna is performed by using a vector network analyzer (VNA) on an anechoic chamber, as illustrated in Figure 9. When the PIN diode is in the ON condition, the antenna radiates with five (penta) operating bands, whereas during the OFF state of the diode, it resonates over eight (octa) operating bands due to the variation in the electrical current path length, as indicated in Figure 5 and mentioned in Table 3. The proposed design has octaband characteristics (OFF state of the PIN diode) with an S₁₁ < –10 dB impedance bandwidth of about 480 MHz (2.34–2.82 GHz, 18.60%), 690 MHz (3.84–4.53 GHz, 16.49%), 375 MHz (5.61–5.985 GHz, 6.47%), 900 MHz (7.89–8.79 GHz, 10.79%), 2380 MHz (10.46–12.84 GHz, 20.43%), 660 MHz (13.84–14.50 GHz, 4.66%), 1680 MHz (15.69–17.37 GHz, 10.16%), and 1.65 GHz (18.21–19.86 GHz, 8.67%) under the simulation process and 14.90% (2.36–2.74 GHz), 11.99% (3.92–4.42 GHz), 4.99% (5.69–5.981 GHz), 10.06% (7.93–8.77 GHz), 18.62% (10.52–12.68 GHz), 3.74% (13.89–14.42 GHz), 8.94% (15.81–17.29 GHz), and 7.50% (18.22–19.64 GHz) during the experimental process, as shown in Figure 5. The frequency reconfiguration of the proposed structure regarding wireless communication modes is achieved by simultaneous biasing of the switching element diode, as given in Table 3.

(a)

(b)

2.1. Parametric Investigation

The optimal designing constraints and dimensions of the proposed design are achieved by using the parametric analysis with respect to feedline widths ( and ) and ground dimensions (L_G and ). The comparison graph of the S₁₁ parameter is observed for different values of feedline (2, 3, 3.16, and 4 mm) and (1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5, and 3.0 mm), as depicted in Figure 10. It is clear from the graph that optimum feedline widths and which could give significant antenna response are 3.16 mm and 2.2 mm, respectively, which is shown by the black color line in Figure 10. By optimizing the appropriated feedline widths, the structure could have better impedance matching which may lead the antenna to noteworthy output at claimed frequencies. Another observation is that the impedance matching is improved either when the feedline widths are increased for a lower frequency range (: 2 to 7 GHz; : 2 to 9 GHz) or when the feedline widths are reduced regarding a higher operating range ( and : 10 to 20 GHz).

The next part of the parametric study is involved with the investigation of antenna performance related to various values of ground dimensions (length L_G7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 mm and width 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 mm). The significant antenna performance regarding S₁₁ is utilized at L_G = 9.5 mm and = 10 mm, as indicated by the black color line in Figure 11. It is noticed that the operating-band characteristics of the proposed design are varying for different values of ground dimensions. From Figure 11, it can be seen that, by increasing the parametric values of the ground dimensions (L_G and ), the number of resonant bands with improved impedance matching is achieved. At a lower-frequency region (under 11 GHz), antenna performance (S₁₁ parameter—impedance matching) is enhanced when the values of ground length L_G and width are decreased, whereas at a higher frequency range (above 11 GHz), the antenna achieved the multiband features with improved resonant characteristics when the values of ground length L_G and width are increased.

The optimized parameters regarding radiating patches are observed after carrying out rigorous parametric analysis of patch dimensions. An increase in branch length (a₁) and split gap () of the radiating patch causes reduction in resonance, as apparent from Figure 12. The optimum values of 8 mm and 0.5 mm are fixed for patch branch length (a₁) and split gap (), respectively, to support the applications. It is also observed that the antenna resonant characteristics are improved at a lower frequency range (less than 9 GHz) when the values of patch branch length (a₁) and split gap () are reduced, whereas at a higher frequency range (above 9 GHz), the antenna represents the enhanced performance when the values of patch branch length (a₁) and split gap () are increased.

After the optimized parameters of feedline, ground, and patch are determined, the critical parameters of the complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) are chosen based on the parametric analysis. The parameter is chosen for the analysis CSRR dimensions (Length—L_2-CSRR and width—_2-CSRR). The value of length (L_2-CSRR) and width (_2-CSRR) is increased in steps of 0.1 and 0.2 mm from 7.3 to 7.6 mm and 1.6 to 2.2 mm, respectively. The analysis is presented in Figure 13, and we observe that L_2-CSRR = 7.4 mm and _2-CSRR = 1.8 mm have good impedance matching in all the resonating bands. Finally, the parametric studies provide the best performance of the proposed design with the help of comparative analysis of the S-parameter (S₁₁) for different values of feedline widths and ground dimensions.

2.2. Design Methodology of the Proposed Metamaterial SRR Structure

This section covers the design process and analysis of the proposed metamaterial SSR unit cell. The proposed SRR structure is designed with the implementation of two modified rectangular-shape conducting material resonating rings with a split gap. The permeability/permittivity characteristics of the proposed structure are attained with the help of a waveguide setup, as depicted in Figure 14. The waveguide setup provides the S-parameters (S₁₁ and S₂₁) to obtain the effective dielectric constants (μ_eff and ε_eff) of the metamaterial SRR cell. This setup is realized in the simulated formation by using a CST Microwave Studio (MWS) simulator, as indicated in Figure 14(a). Figure 14(b) represents the electrical equivalent model of the proposed SRR cell, consisting of the parallel and series combination of distributed/gap capacitance, inductance, and resistance, respectively [31]. An experimental waveguide setup is formed by placing the SRR structure inside it, and the parameters are measured (S₁₁ and S₂₁) with the help of VNA [33].

(a)

(b)

During the simulated waveguide setup, the external magnetic (H) field is processed towards the SRR cell by which EMF is created around the cell and coupled across the rectangular conducting rings. Afterward, the conducting current is moved from the outside conducting ring to the inner side ring through the ring’s gap (“”), which is liable to generate the capacitive effect (distributed capacitance). This arrangement originates in the LC resonant environment, and the respective operating frequency (f_reso-SRR) is identified by the following equation [34]:

The total equivalent inductance and capacitance are determined by using the following equations:where L_Extrn-SRR = length (external rectangular SRR ring), _Extrn-SRR = width (external rectangular SRR ring), = split gap, t_SRR = thickness, Q = constant (2.4512), = rectangular SRR ring’s gap, ε_e = effective permittivity of the medium, Z₀ = characteristic impedance, and = height of the conducting strip.

The following equations are implemented to achieve the effective medium parameter (permeability—μ_eff-med-par) of the proposed SRR [34, 35]:where

Figure 15 depicts the comparison of S-parameters (transmission coefficients: S₂₁ and reflection coefficients: S₁₁) that originate from the waveguide setup of the proposed SRR cell during the simulation as well as experimental modes. The transmission peaks are observed at resonance frequencies 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. The SRR cell exhibits the characteristics of a magnetic resonator and indicates the negative permeability nature at resonant modes (2.4/5.8 GHz). This negative permeability feature is created due to the orthogonal orientation of the magnetic field. As illustrated in Figure 15, the reflection coefficient (S₁₁ parameter) is identified at the zero level (<−1 dB) and the transmission coefficient (S₂₁ parameter) underneath the reference level (−10 dB) at operating frequencies 2.4/5.8 GHz, which reveals the stop-band characteristics of the proposed SRR structure at these resonant frequencies. Figure 16 represents the real and imaginary part of permeability under the simulation and measurement states. The real section of permeability (Real Mue) is negative at target frequencies 2.4/5.8 GHz, which confirms the proposed SRR is a negative material consisting of the properties of metamaterial, as indicated in Figure 16.

2.3. Design Analysis of the Proposed Metamaterial Complementary Split-Ring Resonator (CSRR)

This section describes the design process and analysis of the proposed complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) unit cell in brief. The proposed CSRR structure is constructed by using two rings with split gaps opposite to each other. The dielectric material properties (permeability/permittivity characteristics) of the proposed cell are achieved with the implementation of a waveguide setup, as depicted in Figure 17. By using this setup, the S-parameters are obtained to identify the effective dielectric parameters (μ_eff and ε_eff) of the metamaterial CSRR cell. The waveguide setup is designed in the simulation mode by using a CST Microwave Studio (MWS) simulator, as indicated in Figure 17. Figure 18 represents the electrical equivalent model of the proposed CSRR cell, which works as an LC parallel tank circuit to provide the resonant operating frequency [36]. The model is designed with a parallel combination of capacitive and inductive elements. The proposed CSRR cell is placed inside the waveguide setup to obtain the experimental S₁₁ and S₂₁ values and connected with VNA.

As illustrated in Figure 17, the external magnetic (H) field is applied towards the CSRR cell, which generates the EMF around the cell and is coupled across the rectangular conducting rings. The indicative effect of the proposed CSRR structure (L_MR-CSRR) is due to the conducting strip between the slots, and the capacitive effect (C_MR-CSRR) is because of the slot between the metallic strips. This arrangement creates the LC resonant environment, and the respective operating frequency (f_reso-CSRR) is obtained by the following equations [36]:where T (t) = complete elliptic integral of the first kind, N_R = number of rings associated with the proposed CSRR, L_Intern-CSRR = length of an internal ring of CSRR, _Intern-CSRR = width of an internal ring of CSRR, and = spacing between the slots.

The CSRR cell is identical to the dual element formation of the SRR cell by the implementation of the duality principle. The proposed CSRR cell exhibits the characteristics of a pass-band filter and achieves an operating resonant frequency of 4.34 GHz. To understand the pass-band performance of the proposed CSRR, the simulated and experimental S-parameters (transmission coefficients: S₂₁ and the reflection coefficients: S₁₁) derived from the waveguide setup are compared, as depicted in Figure 19. The peak is observed at operating targeted frequency 4.34 GHz. The scattering parameters (S11 and S21) are attained with the help of the effective medium theory [36]. During waveguide arrangement, CSRR is put inside the waveguide along the x-y-plane with the implementation of the boundary conditions of PEC (Perfect Electric Conductor) and PMC (Perfect Magnetic Conductor), as indicated in Figure 17. The proposed CSRR is excited by the applied EM wave through the input port, and the transmission (S21) and reflection (S11) coefficients are measured at the output port of the waveguide with the help of VNA.

The CSRR structure reveals the characteristics of the magnetic resonator and indicates the negative permeability nature at resonant modes at 4.34 GHz. This negative permittivity feature is created due to the orthogonal orientation of the electric field. As illustrated in Figure 19, the transmission coefficient (S₂₁ parameter) is identified at the zero level (<−1 dB) and the reflection coefficient (S₁₁ parameter) underneath the reference level (−10 dB) at operating frequencies 4.34 GHz, which reveals the pass-band characteristics of the proposed CSRR structure at the respective resonant frequency. Figure 20 represents the real and imaginary part of permittivity under the simulation and measurement conditions. The real section of permittivity (real epsilon) is negative at target frequencies 4.34 GHz, which confirms that the proposed CSRR exhibits the properties of metamaterial (negative permittivity characteristics), as indicated in Figure 20.

3. Results and Discussion

The vector current distribution of the proposed metamaterial-inspired multiband antenna is observed for IoT applications at wireless communication modes 2.4/4.3/5.8/8.5/11.1/13.9/16.1/18.9 GHz under the simulation process, as projected in Figure 21. It is noticed that the vector current strength is improved across the boundary of the proposed SRR structure at the ground plane regarding lower wireless standards (WLAN 2.4 GHz, IEEE 802.11b, and C-band WLAN 5.8 GHz). In another lower resonance frequency state (lower C-band—4.3 GHz), current vectors prominently exist around the surface of the CSRR cell present inside the trapezoidal shape feedline. For higher-operating-frequency wireless communication bands at resonant modes of 8.5, 11.1, 13.9, and 16.1 GHz, the surface vector formation is maximally present around the rectangular and S-shaped slot on the ground plane and slotted octagonal-shape radiating section. It is also identified that the vector current distribution is extremely observed near the surface of the slotted radiating part as well as CSRR structure for the lower K-band (radar communication application—18.9 GHz) wireless communication mode with enriched impedance matching. The vector is in the minutest form across the edges of the CSRR cell and slotted radiating section indicating the enhanced performance of the proposed antenna regarding radiation characteristics. For the higher resonating states (above 7 GHz), the vector current is uniformly allocated around the radiating part of the proposed design, which confirms the optimized impedance matching with broader bandwidth.

Figure 22 depicts the simulated and experimental peak gain graph of the proposed antenna design. The antenna achieves the simulated and measured gain values 2.31/2.67/2.98/2.49/3.84/2.29/3.61/4.23 and 1.98/2.01/2.67/2.12/2.98/1.98/3.08/3.84 at resonant modes and 2.4/4.3/5.8/8.5/11.1/13.9/16.1/18.9 GHz, respectively. The simulated and measured radiation efficiency plots are observed in Figure 23. In the simulation, the proposed design has radiation efficiency 68.24/62.43/79.84/78.91/81.02/61.12/78.84/82.78 percent, and in measurements, it has 65.12/49.89/71.86/69.81/73.56/58.79/71.62/78.92 percent at operating frequency 2.4/4.3/5.8/8.5/11.1/13.9/16.1/18.9 GHz, respectively.

The simulated and measured radiation patterns (E- and H-plane- co-/cross-polarization mode) are mentioned in Figure 24 and validate the agreement between simulated and measured formation. To analyze and study the radiation properties further, the designed antenna is tested in an anechoic chamber. The proposed antenna performances are tested at IoT application-based wireless resonating modes 2.42, 4.34, 5.81, 8.45, 11.02, 13.98, 16.12, and 18.87 GHz. The simulated and measured results at these frequencies are stable and dipole-like/omnidirectional in nature during E- and H-plane with lower cross polarization (less than −20 dB), respectively. The E- and H-plane are basically the principal planes; the E-plane means the plane containing the electric field, while the H-plane contains the magnetic field. Copolar means when the polarization of both the transmitting (test antenna) and receiving antenna (reference horn antenna) is the same, and cross polarization means when the polarization of both the antennas is different. In the proposed design, patterns indicate the higher values of copolarization as compared to the cross polarization. It means more radiation in the desired direction and less radiation in the unwanted direction. Patterns showing cross polarization below 20 dB prove that the proposed structure provides stable and consistent patterns as desired for resonant frequencies.

Table 4 indicates the optimality of the proposed miniaturized metamaterial-inspired frequency-band reconfigurable multiband antenna with the comparison of existing similar types of structures on the basis of various antenna parameters. It is visible from the table that the claimed antenna design is novel and superior over many designs in terms of various antenna characteristics. It is also useful for covering eight wireless standards over other multiband antennas.

4. Conclusions

A miniaturized metamaterial-loaded and slotted octaband reconfigurable antenna is proposed and presented for IoT applications for wireless standards S-band WLAN—2.4 GHz (WiFi, Bluetooth, Z-wave, Wireless HART, and WBAN)/lower C-band—4.3 GHz (WAIC, avionic satellite communication transmission application)/C-band WLAN—5.8 GHz (IEEE 802.11a)/lower X-band—8.5 GHz (Earth exploration-satellite service ITU region 2)/upper X-band—11.1 GHz (amateur radio satellite operating band)/lower Ku-band—13.9 GHz (direct broadcast satellite system)/upper Ku-band—16.1 GHz (terrestrial microwave communication system service)/lower K-band—18.9 GHz (radar communication application) and wireless communication applications. The proposed design has an octagonal shape slotted radiating section loaded with a CSRR cell (placed inside the feedline) and SRR cell (employed with the slotted trapezoidal-shape ground plane) to achieve the eight operating band characteristics for wireless applications. The frequency-band reconfigurability features regarding wireless communication modes are created by placing the switching element PIN diode inside the S-shaped slot at the ground plane. The antenna achieves an optimum peak gain value of 4.23 dBi and radiation efficiency of 82.78% at resonant frequency. The proposed design achieves the average radiation efficiency of more than 70% for all the operating resonant bands. The antenna is fabricated, and its radiation characteristics are measured. The proposed structure represents stable and consistent radiation patterns with low cross polarization (less than −15 dB), enhanced gain/radiation efficiency, and improved impedance matching at resonant wireless communication bands.

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are included within the article.

Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest are reported by the authors.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Prof. S. K. Koul, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (India), for helping to avail the facilities regarding measurement work at the department of the Centre for Applied Research in Electronics (CARE).

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Copyright © 2021 Ritesh Kumar Saraswat and Mithilesh Kumar. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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