Design Of Slotted Meander Line Antenna With Probe Feed Method For ISM Band Application.

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DESIGN OF SLOTTED MEANDER LINE ANTENNA WITH PROBE FEED METHOD FOR ISM BAND APPLICATION

NUR AISHAH BINTI ZAINUDDIN

This report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication Engineering) With

Honours

Faculty of Electronic and Computer Engineering Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka


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ii

UNIVERSTI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRONIK DAN KEJURUTERAAN KOMPUTER

BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN

PROJEK SARJANA MUDA II

Tajuk Projek : Design of Slotted Meander Line Antenna With Probe Feed Method for ISM Band Application

Sesi

Pengajian : 1 1 / 1 2

Saya NUR AISHAH BINTI ZAINUDDIN . mengaku membenarkan Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda ini disimpan di Perpustakaan dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:

1. Laporan adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.

2. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja.

3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara institusi pengajian tinggi.

4. Sila tandakan ( ) :

SULIT* *(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)

TERHAD** **(Mengandungi maklumat terhad yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)

TIDAK TERHAD

Disahkan oleh:

__________________________ ___________________________________ (TANDATANGAN PENULIS) (COP DAN TANDATANGAN PENYELIA)


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iii

“I, hereby declare that this thesis entitled, Design of Slotted Meander Line Antenna with Probe Feed Method for ISM Band Application is a result of my own research idea

concept for works that have been cited clearly in the references.”

SIGNATURE : ……… NAME : NUR AISHAH BINTI ZAINUDDIN DATE : 16 JUNE 2012


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iv

“I, hereby declare that I have read this report and in my opinion this report is sufficient in terms of scope and quality for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering

(Telecommunication Electronics) with Honours.”

SIGNATURE : ………

SUPERVISOR’S NAME : MOHAMAD ZOINOL ABIDIN B. ABD AZIZ


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v


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vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, The Lord of the ‘Alamin for the strengths and His blessing in completing this thesis. This dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and the help of several individuals who in one way or another contributed and extended their valuable assistance in the preparation and completion of this study.

First and foremost, my utmost gratitude to Mr. Zoinol Abidin B. Abd Aziz, my Project Supervisor whose sincerity and encouragement had helped me to survive until the end of this project.No words could describe how meaningful it is to work and to be taught by one of the most dedicated lecturer I have ever met.

My colleagues and staff in the Faculty of Electronic and Computer Engineering, especially the Telecommunication Electronics Departments for the use of facilities in the Microwave and PSM Lab and for consultations given.

Last but not the least, special gratitude to my father, mother and all other family members who never stop supplying their moral support through advices and financial. I will never forget how they have been my inspiration as I hurdle all the obstacles and plod on in the completion this research work.


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vii

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, the development of wireless communication is become more important and antennas are the essential of wireless communication. Currently, users demand to have small size of device that can be brought anywhere without the use of wire and to fulfill the demand, small size of antenna is needed. Therefore it has become the objective for this project to design, simulate and fabricate slotted meander line antenna which operates at 2.4GHz where meander line technique is used for miniaturization purpose. However, meander line produces narrow bandwidth and to overcome the problem, slots are introduced to the meander line antenna because the bandwidth of antenna with slots is wider. Many designs of slotted meander line antenna are produced and they are analyzed based on the number of slotted meander line used. Antenna with 2 slotted meander lines produces the highest simulation return loss of -24.54 dB but has a low gain of 1.46 dB. Antenna with 3 slotted meander lines produced highest gain among all designs with 4.02 dB but the widest bandwidth is produced by antenna with 6 slotted meander lines with 43.01 MHz.The results also shows that the resonant frequency for all slotted meander line antenna designed, is shifted backward. The size reduction of the patch has made the resonant frequency shifted forward until reaching 2.4GHz. Antenna with 2 slotted meander line has the most size reduction of approximately 23% from the original size.3 designs are chosen to be fabricated and the result of simulation and measurement process is compared. Computer Simulation Tools (CST) Studi Suite 2010 is used for the simulation of designed process.


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viii

ABSTRAK

Pada masa kini, pembangunan sistem komunikasi tanpa wayar adalah sangat penting dan antena adalah sangat berguna dalam pelbagai aplikasi dan ia merupakan asas kepada komunikasi tanpa wayar. Pada masa kini, pengguna lebih memilih untuk mempunyai peranti yang bersaiz kecil yang boleh dibawa kemana-mana sahaja tanpa penggunaan wayar. Oleh itu, objektif bagi projek ini adalah untuk mereka, mensimulasi, dan menfabrikasi antena yang berbentuk garisan berliku dan beralur yang berfungsi dan beroperasi pada frekuensi 2.4GHz dimana antenna berbentuk garisan berliku digunakan untuk mendapatkan antenna bersaiz kecil. Namun begitu, oleh kerana teknik ini menghasilkan lebar jalur yang kecil, antenna ini akan dialurkan memandangkan antena yang beralur menghasilkan lebar jalur yang tinggi. Pelbagai rekaan bagi antenna garisan berliku dan beralur telah dihasilkan dan dianalisa berdasarkan jumlah garisan berliku yang beralur yang digunakan. Tiga rekaan telah dipilih untuk difabrikasikan bagi membandingkan keputusan simulasi dan keputusan ukuran. Computer Simulation Tool (CST) Studio Suite 2010 adalah perisian yang digunakan bagi proses simulasi antena.


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ix

CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

PROJECT TITLE

REPORT STATUS VERIFICATION FORM STUDENT’S DECLARATION SUPERVISOR’S DECLARATION DEDICATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ABSTRACT ABSTRAK

TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF ABBREVIATION AND SYMBOLS LIST OF TABLES

i ii iii iv v vi vii viii ix xiii xvii xix

I INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Problem Statement 1.2 Objective

1.3 Scope of Project 1.4 Methodology 1.5 Thesis Outline

1 1 2 3 3 3 4

II LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

2.1 Wireless Communication System 2.2 Antenna

2.3 Antenna Properties 2.3.1 Input Impedance

2.3.2 VSWR and Return Loss 2.3.3 Bandwidth

6 6 6 8 9 9 9 10


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x 2.3.4 Radiation Pattern

2.3.5 Polarization 2.3.6 Gain

2.3.7 Directivity 2.4 Types of Antenna

2.4.1 Microstrip Patch Antenna 2.4.2 Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) 2.4.3 Planar Antenna

2.4.3.1 Planar Inverted-L and Inverted-F Antenna

2.4.3.2 Planar Monopole Antenna 2.4.3.3 Planar Meander Line Antenna 2.4.4 Meander Line Antenna

2.4.4.1 Uniform and Non-Uniform Meander Line Antenna

2.4.4.2 Taper Meander Line Antennas 2.4.4.3 Back-to-Back Meander Line Antennas

2.4.5 Slot Antenna 2.5 Feeding Methods

11 13 13 14 14 14 17 19 20 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 30

III SLOTTED MEANDER LINE ANTENNA DESIGN

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Design Specifications

3.2 Parametric Studies On Design of Slotted Meander Line Antenna

3.2.1 Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna 3.2.2 Parametric Studies: Number of Turn, N 3.2.3 Parametric Studies: Location of Slotted

Meander Line

3.2.4 Parametric Studies: Number And Location of Slotted Meander Line

33 33 35 36 36 37 38 39


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xi 3.3 Design Parameter

3.4 Design Process

3.4.1 Design of Microstrip Meander Line Patch Antenna

3.4.2 Design of Monopole Meander Line Antenna 3.4.3 Design of Microstrip Slotted Meander Line Antenna

3.5 Simulation Process 3.6 Fabrication Process 3.7 Measurement Process

3.7.1 Return Loss Measurement 3.7.2 Radiation Pattern Measurement

41 42 42 43 44 48 52 54 54 55

IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.0 Introduction

4.1 Design of Microstrip Meander Line Antenna and Slotted Meander Line Antenna

4.2 Design of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna 4.3 Parametric Studies: Number of Turn of Slotted

Meander Line Antenna

4.4 Parametric Studies: Number of Slotted Meander Line 4.5 Parametric Studies: Number and Location of Slotted

Meander Line Antenna

4.5.1 Result Analysis of 2 Slots of Slotted Meander Line Antenna

4.5.2 Result Analysis of 3 Slots of Slotted Meander Line Antenna

4.5.3 Result Analysis of 6 Slots of Slotted Meander Line Antenna

4.5.4 Result Analysis of 7 Slots of Slotted Meander Line Antenna

4.5.5 Result Analysis of 8 Slots of Slotted Meander Line Antenna

4.5.6 Result Analysis of 12 Slots of Slotted Meander Line Antenna

57 57 58 59 61 63 64 65 67 69 71 73 75


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xii

4.6 Design Comparison and Analysis 77

V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

5.0 Conclusion 5.1 Future Work

79 79 80

REFERENCES

APPENDIX A

81


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xiii

LIST OF FIGURES

NO TITLE PAGE

1.1 2.1

Project Flow

Industrial, Scientific And Medical (ISM) Band Range

5 7 2.2

2.3

The Range Of Bandwidth Normalized Power Patterns

10 12 2.4 Radiation Pattern and 3dB Beamwidth 13 2.5

2.6

Physical Structure of Microstrip Antenna

Dimension View And Prototype Of Microstrip Meander Line Antenna

15 17

2.7 Structure of Coplanar Waveguide 18

2.8 Conductor Backed Co-Planar Waveguide 18 2.9 Geometry of A Narrow-Strip Monopole With A Horizontal Bent

Portion And Monopole

21

2.10 Geometry of the PIFA 21

2.11 Geometry of The Planar Monopole Antenna With A Trident-Shaped (Three-Branch) Feeding Strip.

22 2.12 Geometry of Planar Meander Line Antenna For Triple-Band

Mobile Phone Antennas With The Microstrip Line Feeding Technique.

23

2.13 Meander Line Structure 24

2.14 Uniform Meander Line And Non-Uniform Meander Line Antenna 25 2.15 Taper Meander Line Antennas; Ascendant, Side-Fed Descendant,

Centrally Fed Descendant

26 2.16 Structure of Back-To-Back Meander Line Antenna 27

2.17 Rectangular Slot 27


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xiv Asymmetry L Slots

2.19 Photograph And Schematic Of Folded Meander Line Slot Antenna 29

2.20 Slotted Meander Line Antenna 30

2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18

Slotted Meander Line Antenna Structure Inset Feed Edge Feed Probe Feed Proximity-Coupled Patch Aperture-Coupled Patch Project Methodology

Design Drawing of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna Probe Feed Location at Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna Slotted Meander Line Antenna Structure with Different Number of Turns

Slotted Meander Line Antenna Structure with Different Position of Slotted Meander Line

Slotted Meander Line Antenna Structure with Different Number of Slotted Meander Line

Slotted Meander Line Antenna Structure with Different Number of Turns and Locations

Design Parameter of Slotted Meander Line Antenna Microstrip Meander Line Antenna

Front and Back View of Monopole Meander Line Antenna Structure of Microstrip Antenna

Slotted Meander Line Antenna – Design 1 Slotted Meander Line Antenna – Design 2 Slotted Meander Line Antenna – Design 3 Slotted Meander Line Antenna – Design 4 Slotted Meander Line Antenna – Design 5 Slotted Meander Line Antenna – Design 6 Slotted Meander Line Antenna – Design 7

30 31 31 31 32 32 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 43 44 45 45 46 46 47 47 48


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xv 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 Background Properties FR-4 Material for Substrate

Structure of Probe Feed Connector Design of Waveguide Port

Boundary Conditions Settings Monitor Settings

Summarization of Simulation Process Summary of Fabrication Process Summary of Measurement Process Return Loss Measurement Setup Radiation Pattern Measurement Setup

Return Loss for Microstrip Meander Line Antenna and Slotted Meander Line Antenna

Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

Simulated and Measured Return Loss for Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

Radiation Pattern of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

Graph of Gain, Resonant Frequency, Directivity and Return Loss vs. Number of Turn

Structure of Different Number of Slotted Meander Line Antenna Resonant Frequency of Different Number of Slotted Meander Line Different Number and Location of Slotted Meander Line Antenna Simulated and Measured Return Loss for Design 1

Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 1 Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 1 Measurement Radiation Pattern of Design 1 Resonant Frequency and Return Loss of Design 2

48 49 50 50 51 51 52 53 54 55 56 58 59 59 60 61 61 62 63 64 64 65 66 66 67 67


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xvi 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33

Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 2 Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 2 Simulated and Measured Return Loss for Design 3 Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 3 Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 3 Measurement Radiation Pattern for Design 3 Simulated and Measured Return Loss for Design 4 Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 4 Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 4 Measurement Radiation Pattern for Design 4 Simulated Return Loss for Design 5 and Design 6 Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 5 Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 5 Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 6 Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 6 Resonant Frequency and Return Loss of Design 7 Simulated E-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 7 Simulated H-Field Radiation Pattern of Design 7

68 68 69 70 70 70 71 72 72 72 73 74 74 75 75 76 76 77


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xvii

LIST OF ABBREVIATION AND SYMBOLS RF - Radio Frequency

ISM - Industrial, Science and Medical (Band) CST - Computer Simulation Technology

FR-4 - Flame Retardant (Type 4 – made of woven glass reinforced epoxy resin)

UV - Ultra Violet

VSWR - Voltage Standing Wave Ratio PC - Personal Computer

Wi-Fi - Wireless Fidelity

ITU - International Telecommunication Union Zo - Characteristic Impedance

λg - Guide Wavelength

TEM - Transverse Electro-Magnetic Ɛreff - Effective Dielectric Constant Ɛr - Relative Dielectric Constant

L - Length of Patch Antenna W - Width Of Patch Antenna h - Height Of Patch Antenna

f - Frequency

c - Light Speed Constant d - Substrate Thickness

IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Std - Standard

CPW - Coplanar Waveguide

MIC - Microwave Integrated Circuits

MMIC - Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits CMOS - Complementary-Symmetry Metal–Oxide


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xviii PIFA - Planar Inverted-F Antenna

RL - Return Loss D - Directivity BW - Bandwidth

G - Gain

HPBW - Half Power Beam Width FNBW - First Null Beam Width

tan δ - Dielectric Loss / Tangent Loss µr - Permittivity

Wc - Copper thickness RCS - Radar Cross Section

N - Number of Turn AUT - Antenna Under Test

Sim. - Simulation Mea. - Measurement

dB - Decibel


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xix

LIST OF TABLES

NO TITLE PAGE

3.1 Design Specifications of Slotted Meander Line Antenna 35 3.2 Design Material of Slotted Meander Line Antenna 35

3.3 Parameters Setup 49

3.4 Dimension of Probe Feed Layer 50

4.1 Simulation and Measurement Result of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

60 4.2 Antenna Parameter Result of Different Number of Turn 62 4.3 Simulation and Measurement Result of Design 1 Antenna 65 4.4 Simulation and Measurement Result for Design 2 68 4.5 Simulation and Measurement Result of Design 3 Antenna 69 4.6 Simulation and Measurement Result of Design 3 Antenna 71 4.7 Simulation Result of Design 5 and Design 6 73 4.8 Simulation Result of Design 5 and Design 7 76 4.9 Simulation and Measurement Results for Three Designs of Antenna 78


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1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

An antenna is a transducer that transmits or receives electromagnetic waves. In other words, antennas convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical current or vice versa. Antennas generally deal in a transmission and reception of radio waves and are a necessary part of all radio equipment. Based on another source, antenna is defined as an electrical conductor or system of conductors. Antenna can be used in two ways communication, transmitting and receiving. An antenna is a circuit element that provides a transition from a guided wave on a transmission line to a free space wave and it provides for the collection of electromagnetic energy [1].

In transmitting system the RF signal is generated, amplified, modulated and applied to the antenna. Meanwhile, in receive systems the antenna collects electromagnetic waves that are ‘cutting’ through the antenna and induce alternating currents that are used by the receiver. An antenna ability to transfer energy from the


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2 atmosphere to its receiver with the same efficiency as it transfers energy from the transmitter into the atmosphere. Antenna characteristics are essentially the same regardless of whether an antenna is sending or receiving electromagnetic energy [2].

1.1 Problem Statement

The modernization of telecommunication system had brought many benefits to people nowadays. Previously people need to be at a specified place only to communicate with each other. For instance, people can only be connected or communicate using wired phone at home or public phone at certain places.

The need and trend to be in touch whenever and wherever they want has come to a huge demand of wireless devices with mobility and low profile to make the communication method and process become easier. Antenna is a crucial part of devices that allows the device itself to operate by transmitting and receiving signals. Small size device came with small size antenna. Therefore, for a compact device, a compact and low profile antenna that can operate at desired frequency range is needed.

There are many aspects need to be considered in designing an antenna. The problem that usually found in existing antennas is referred to the size of the antenna. Users prefer to have small size of device that can be carried anywhere without connected to wires.

Common design of antenna faced some issues regarding the size because a bigger size of antenna will not only make it costly, but also have difficulties to fit in a device. In order to overcome the problem, a meander line antenna would be one of the suitable methods to be used to design a low profile antenna. Meander line antenna is chosen because it is able to reduce or miniaturize the size of antenna. It is smaller in size and very flexible to be shifted or relocated [3].

However meander line structures alone did not optimize the requirement of antenna because it has a narrow bandwidth despite of its advantage to miniaturize antenna [4]. One of the ways to overcome this problem is to use slots in particular


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3 meander line antenna due to the wide bandwidth characteristic that slotted antenna have.

1.2 Objective

The main objective of this project is to design, simulate and fabricate a slotted meander line antenna to be used at ISM band (2.4 – 2.5 GHz). It is designed to be smaller in size compared to existing antennas and consistently reducing the cost of design. The meander line antenna has been designed to operate at 2.4 GHz as it approaches the industrial, scientific and medical radio bands.

1.3 Scope of project

Firstly a meander line antenna will be designed specifically for ISM band application. The meander line technique is used to miniaturize the antenna and it will be slotted to get wider bandwidth.

The meander line antenna will be simulated with CST software to observe the result of antenna parameters such as return loss, bandwidth, gain, and directivity.

After that the antenna will be fabricated by using FR-4 board and chemical etching technique. The fabricated antenna will be measured to observe the result of return loss, bandwidth, gain and directivity of the antenna.

1.4 Methodology

First of all, antenna system will be reviewed, focusing on meander line and slotted antenna through variety kind of sources and references such as journals, books and through internet. Variety types of antenna will be designed, for instance microstrip patch antenna, microstrip meander line antenna, microstrip slot antenna, and slotted meander line antenna by using CST Studio Suite 2010. After that all the


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4 designed antenna will be simulated to observe the antenna parameters such as return loss, bandwidth, gain and directivity.

Fabrication process will be done but before that, the antenna layout must be designed. As for material, FR-4 board will be used. UV Litography and chemical etching technique will be used to fabricate the antenna. A probe feed will be soldered to the antenna as a connector.

The fabricated antenna will be measured to observe the result of return loss, bandwidth, gain and directivity of the antenna. Report writing will be done to record all the results and discussions. Figure 1.1 below shows the overall flow of this project.

1.5 Thesis Outline

This thesis consists of five chapters describing all the work done in the project. The thesis outline is generally described as follows.

Chapter I of this report will cover the introduction of the project. Brief general background is presented and this chapter also includes the objective, scope of project and methodology. Chapter II will cover about literature review of antennas. For this purpose, the review is made by referring to many sources, mostly from related technical papers. Chapter III gives an overview of the antenna design methodology with the fundamental process in the design, simulate, fabricate and measurement procedures.

For Chapter IV, it will cover the results obtained from the simulation and measurement process. All the data obtained will be analyzed and discussion regarding the results will be made. Lastly Chapter V will cover the conclusion of overall project. Suggestions to improve this project are also be presented in the same chapter.


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5 Flowchart of project:

Figure 1.1: Project Flow Start

Report writing Fabrication

Simulation Design

Measurement Literature review

End

YES

YES

YES

YES

NO


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LIST OF TABLES

NO TITLE PAGE

3.1 Design Specifications of Slotted Meander Line Antenna 35 3.2 Design Material of Slotted Meander Line Antenna 35

3.3 Parameters Setup 49

3.4 Dimension of Probe Feed Layer 50

4.1 Simulation and Measurement Result of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

60

4.2 Antenna Parameter Result of Different Number of Turn 62 4.3 Simulation and Measurement Result of Design 1 Antenna 65 4.4 Simulation and Measurement Result for Design 2 68 4.5 Simulation and Measurement Result of Design 3 Antenna 69 4.6 Simulation and Measurement Result of Design 3 Antenna 71

4.7 Simulation Result of Design 5 and Design 6 73

4.8 Simulation Result of Design 5 and Design 7 76


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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

An antenna is a transducer that transmits or receives electromagnetic waves. In other words, antennas convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical current or vice versa. Antennas generally deal in a transmission and reception of radio waves and are a necessary part of all radio equipment. Based on another source, antenna is defined as an electrical conductor or system of conductors. Antenna can be used in two ways communication, transmitting and receiving. An antenna is a circuit element that provides a transition from a guided wave on a transmission line to a free space wave and it provides for the collection of electromagnetic energy [1].

In transmitting system the RF signal is generated, amplified, modulated and applied to the antenna. Meanwhile, in receive systems the antenna collects electromagnetic waves that are ‘cutting’ through the antenna and induce alternating currents that are used by the receiver. An antenna ability to transfer energy from the


(3)

atmosphere to its receiver with the same efficiency as it transfers energy from the transmitter into the atmosphere. Antenna characteristics are essentially the same regardless of whether an antenna is sending or receiving electromagnetic energy [2].

1.1 Problem Statement

The modernization of telecommunication system had brought many benefits to people nowadays. Previously people need to be at a specified place only to communicate with each other. For instance, people can only be connected or communicate using wired phone at home or public phone at certain places.

The need and trend to be in touch whenever and wherever they want has come to a huge demand of wireless devices with mobility and low profile to make the communication method and process become easier. Antenna is a crucial part of devices that allows the device itself to operate by transmitting and receiving signals. Small size device came with small size antenna. Therefore, for a compact device, a compact and low profile antenna that can operate at desired frequency range is needed.

There are many aspects need to be considered in designing an antenna. The problem that usually found in existing antennas is referred to the size of the antenna. Users prefer to have small size of device that can be carried anywhere without connected to wires.

Common design of antenna faced some issues regarding the size because a bigger size of antenna will not only make it costly, but also have difficulties to fit in a device. In order to overcome the problem, a meander line antenna would be one of the suitable methods to be used to design a low profile antenna. Meander line antenna is chosen because it is able to reduce or miniaturize the size of antenna. It is smaller in size and very flexible to be shifted or relocated [3].

However meander line structures alone did not optimize the requirement of antenna because it has a narrow bandwidth despite of its advantage to miniaturize antenna [4]. One of the ways to overcome this problem is to use slots in particular


(4)

meander line antenna due to the wide bandwidth characteristic that slotted antenna have.

1.2 Objective

The main objective of this project is to design, simulate and fabricate a slotted meander line antenna to be used at ISM band (2.4 – 2.5 GHz). It is designed to be smaller in size compared to existing antennas and consistently reducing the cost of design. The meander line antenna has been designed to operate at 2.4 GHz as it approaches the industrial, scientific and medical radio bands.

1.3 Scope of project

Firstly a meander line antenna will be designed specifically for ISM band application. The meander line technique is used to miniaturize the antenna and it will be slotted to get wider bandwidth.

The meander line antenna will be simulated with CST software to observe the result of antenna parameters such as return loss, bandwidth, gain, and directivity.

After that the antenna will be fabricated by using FR-4 board and chemical etching technique. The fabricated antenna will be measured to observe the result of return loss, bandwidth, gain and directivity of the antenna.

1.4 Methodology

First of all, antenna system will be reviewed, focusing on meander line and slotted antenna through variety kind of sources and references such as journals, books and through internet. Variety types of antenna will be designed, for instance microstrip patch antenna, microstrip meander line antenna, microstrip slot antenna, and slotted meander line antenna by using CST Studio Suite 2010. After that all the


(5)

designed antenna will be simulated to observe the antenna parameters such as return loss, bandwidth, gain and directivity.

Fabrication process will be done but before that, the antenna layout must be designed. As for material, FR-4 board will be used. UV Litography and chemical etching technique will be used to fabricate the antenna. A probe feed will be soldered to the antenna as a connector.

The fabricated antenna will be measured to observe the result of return loss, bandwidth, gain and directivity of the antenna. Report writing will be done to record all the results and discussions. Figure 1.1 below shows the overall flow of this project.

1.5 Thesis Outline

This thesis consists of five chapters describing all the work done in the project. The thesis outline is generally described as follows.

Chapter I of this report will cover the introduction of the project. Brief general background is presented and this chapter also includes the objective, scope of project and methodology. Chapter II will cover about literature review of antennas. For this purpose, the review is made by referring to many sources, mostly from related technical papers. Chapter III gives an overview of the antenna design methodology with the fundamental process in the design, simulate, fabricate and measurement procedures.

For Chapter IV, it will cover the results obtained from the simulation and measurement process. All the data obtained will be analyzed and discussion regarding the results will be made. Lastly Chapter V will cover the conclusion of overall project. Suggestions to improve this project are also be presented in the same chapter.


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Flowchart of project:

Figure 1.1: Project Flow Start

Report writing Fabrication

Simulation Design

Measurement Literature review

End YES

YES

YES

YES NO