On the bending and time domain analysis of compact wideband flexible monopole antennas

Abstract In this paper, flexible, low profile and robust planar monopole antennas are designed and analyzed for its performance over conformal surfaces, intended for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Body Centric Wireless Communications (BCWC). By the aid of alike shape (modified rectangular shaped) radiator and truncated ground plane, two compact microstrip fed antennas are designed and fabricated on flexible substrates – Polyamide and Teslin (environmentally friendly, flexible and green-electronics). The proposed polyamide antenna with a size of 50 mm × 40 mm × 0.8 mm, radiates over frequency range from 1.8 to 13.3 GHz and teslin antenna with a dimension of 50 mm × 40 mm × 0.712 mm, covers the frequency range from 1.4 to 13.4 GHz. To validate the designed prototypes, the antennas are fabricated and the impact performance are analyzed, while flexing the antenna from its nominal straight arrangement (bending through its length, width, different bending radius and angles). Further, time domain analysis is carried out in free space and in various bent scenarios with pulse excitation to validate the antennas for UWB applications. The transmission coefficient characteristics (S21) and group delay for various bending conditions are measured and the fidelity factor for all the scenarios are greater than 0.82, which make the antennas good candidate for UWB-BCWC.