Optically Transparent Dual-Band MIMO Antenna Using Micro-Metal Mesh Conductive Film for WLAN System

Abstract

An optically transparent dual-band multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna designed using a micro-metal mesh conductive (MMMC) film for the wireless local area network applications is presented. The antenna consists of two meandered-monopole radiators that are microstrip-fed. The MMMC film is constructed by Cima NanoTech using SANTE self-assembling nanoparticle technology and has a high transmittance of above 75% and a low sheet resistance of 0.05 Ω/sq. The antenna is cut from an MMMC film and glued on a glass substrate with a thickness of 1.09 mm. A layer of MMMC film is glued on the other side of the substrate to serve as ground. The antenna is studied and designed using computer simulation, and the prototyped antenna is measured using the Satimo StarLab system. Results show that the MIMO antenna has a measured dual band of 2.4-2.48 and 5.15-5.8 GHz with the efficiencies of more than 40%, which is higher than any other transparent antennas published in the literature.