Ultra-Wideband and Substrate-Independent AFSIW Cavity-Backed Slot Antenna for High-Performance Smart Surfaces

Abstract

A novel ultra-wideband substrate-independent air-filled substrate integrated waveguide (AFSIW) cavity-backed slot antenna that enables straightforward integration into common planar surface materials is proposed for the realization of high-performance smart surfaces. A prototype of the antenna is fabricated, integrated into furniture, and validated. In free-space stand-alone conditions, an impedance bandwidth of 1.2 GHz (or 21.8%), a total efficiency higher than 90%, and a gain higher than 5.1 dBi are achieved. Measurements prove that the antenna facilitates integration into a worktop with only a minor influence on its impedance bandwidth, gain and efficiency.