Antenna bandwidth enhancement using near-field coupled miniaturized elements

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of substantial bandwidth enhancement of a low-frequency miniaturized antenna on a robotic flyer through magnetic coupling with similar elements in a tight flight formation. The dimensions of a single radiating element are confined to within λ/10 × λ/10 × λ/10 for operation at around 300 MHz. Variations of end-loaded meandered line dipoles are studied and the configuration shows a bandwidth of 2 MHz (0.66%) and 7 Ω input impedance. For a proper magnetic coupling of the end-loads, simulation results demonstrate that a cluster of three such miniaturized coupled antennas can provide the bandwidth and input impedance of 30 MHz (10%, 15 fold improvement) and 80 Ω, respectively.