Ultra-Thin Compact Flexible Antenna for IoT Applications

Abstract

A CPW-fed slot monopole antenna suitable for IoT applications is designed using three different dielectric substrates: a novel flexible ceramic (ENrG’s Thin E-Strate), the rigid Arlon 25N and flexible Polypropylene (PP). The required dimensions and the simulation results concerning impedance matching and radiation properties are compared. Prototypes of the optimized ultra-thin compact flexible antenna, based on the novel ENrG’s Thin E-Strate, are fabricated using two different metallization techniques: electrotextile based and inkject printing. The measurement results, regarding return losses for the fabricated prototypes using both procedures are then compared and also with the simulation ones to draw some conclusions.