Compact Polyimide Fan-Shaped Multi-Slotted Wideband Flexible Antenna for Sub-6 GHz IoT Applications
摘要
This paper describes the design and construction of a small, flexible circular-slotted monopole antenna that works best at frequencies below 6 GHz in 5G New Radio (NR) and Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax) systems. The design includes a feed line that tapers in a triangular shape and a defected circular ground structure to improve radiation characteristics, optimize surface current distribution, and increase impedance bandwidth. The model is made on a polyimide substrate (18.5 × 27 × 0.6 mm³) that has an effective dielectric constant of 3.5 and a low loss tangent of 0.0027. This makes it lightweight, conformal, and low-profile, making it perfect for wearable and IoT integration. Simulated and observed data demonstrate that the impedance bandwidth ranges from 3.28 to 7.83 GHz, covering the whole sub-6 GHz 5G NR and Wi-Fi 6 frequency ranges. The maximum radiation efficiency is 99.2%, and the gain is 4.62 dBi. The 1-g Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analysis conducted using a multilayer human phantom at different antenna–body separation distances revealed that the lowest SAR value is 0.0759 W/kg, occurs when the antenna is positioned 60 mm from the phantom. Mechanical deformation experiments with various bending radii demonstrate that |S11| remains stable, indicating that it can withstand real-world circumstances well. The findings reveal that the suggested antenna has a compact size, a large impedance bandwidth, and steady radiation characteristics. This makes it ideal for sub-6 GHz 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and wearable IoT applications. A time-domain investigation verifies the transient response and waveform quality in broadband and impulse-based communication situations.