Resonance conditions for a substrate-superstrate printed antenna geometry which allow for large antenna gain are presented. Asymptotic formulas for gain, beamwidth, and bandwidth are given, and the bandwidth limitation of the method is discussed. The method is extended to produce narrow patterns about the horizon, and directive patterns at two different angles.

Gain enhancement methods for printed circuit antennas

A technique is described that measures the instantaneous three-dimensional temperature distribution in water using two-color laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). Two fluorescent dyes, Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 110, are used as temperature indicators. A laser light sheet scanned across the entire measurement volume excites the fluorescent dye, and an optical system involving a color beam splitter gives the intensity distribution of the individual fluorescent dyes on two separate monochrome CCD cameras. The ratio of these fluorescence intensities at each point of the image is calibrated against the temperature to eliminate the effect of the fluctuation of illuminating light intensity. A stable thermally stratified layer was measured by this system to evaluate the total accuracy of the measurement system. The random error of the measurement was ±1.4 K with 95% confidence. Measurements of thermal convection over a heated horizontal surface show temperature iso-surfaces having typical structures such as plumes, ridges and thermals.

Whole Field Measurement of Temperature in Water Using Two-Color Laser Induced Fluorescence

In recent few years, the antenna and sensor communities have witnessed a considerable integration of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag antennas and sensors because of the impetus provided by internet of things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems (CPS). Such types of sensor can find potential applications in structural health monitoring (SHM) because of their passive, wireless, simple, compact size, and multimodal nature, particular in large scale infrastructures during their lifecycle. The big data from these ubiquitous sensors are expected to generate a big impact for intelligent monitoring. A remarkable number of scientific papers demonstrate the possibility that objects can be remotely tracked and intelligently monitored for their physical/chemical/mechanical properties and environment conditions. Most of the work focuses on antenna design, and significant information has been generated to demonstrate feasibilities. Further information is needed to gain deep understanding of the passive RFID antenna sensor systems in order to make them reliable and practical. Nevertheless, this information is scattered over much literature. This paper is to comprehensively summarize and clearly highlight the challenges and state-of-the-art methods of passive RFID antenna sensors and systems in terms of sensing and communication from system point of view. Future trends are also discussed. The future research and development in UK are suggested as well.

/pdf/a-review-of-passive-rfid-tag-antenna-based-sensors-and-30xe8avb4i.pdf

A Review of Passive RFID Tag Antenna-Based Sensors and Systems for Structural Health Monitoring Applications

A microwave microfluidic sensor for dielectric characterization of liquids in real time is presented in this paper. The sensor is implemented in microstrip technology and consists of a symmetric splitter/combiner configuration loaded with a pair of identical split ring resonators (SRRs) and microfluidic channels placed on top of them (gap region). The sensor works in differential mode and sensing is based on frequency splitting. Thus, if the structure is unloaded or if it is symmetrically loaded with regard to the axial plane, only one transmission zero (notch) in the frequency response appears. However, if the axial symmetry is disrupted (e.g., by the presence of different liquids in the channels), two transmission zeros arise, and the difference in magnitude (notch depth) and frequency between such transmission zeros is indicative of the difference in the dielectric properties (complex dielectric constant). A circuit schematic, including transmission line sections to describe the distributed components, lumped elements to account for the SRRs and their coupling to the lines and lumped elements to model the liquid properties, is presented and validated. After proper calibration, the functionality of the proposed sensor is demonstrated by measuring the complex permittivity in solutions of deionized water and ethanol as a function of the ethanol content.

/pdf/microwave-microfluidic-sensor-based-on-a-microstrip-splitter-1xy5qbd0ff.pdf

Microwave Microfluidic Sensor Based on a Microstrip Splitter/Combiner Configuration and Split Ring Resonators (SRRs) for Dielectric Characterization of Liquids

An efficient mutual coupling reduction method is introduced in this letter for extremely closely placed dual-element microstrip antennas positioned on a finite-sized ground plane for WLAN MIMO application at 5.8 GHz. High isolation can be achieved through a simple slot structure on the ground between the microstrip antennas. The position, length, and width of the slot have been optimized for maximizing the isolation. It is found that more than 40 dB isolation can be achieved between two parallel microstrip antennas sharing a common ground plane. The space distance of these antennas is 17.5 mm ≈ 0.33λ0 from element center to center (side by side of 1.6 mm ≈ 0.031λ0) when the ground plane size is 0.85λ0 × 0.55λ0. Along with this letter, several prototypes were fabricated, and their performances measured to validate the obtained IE3D moment method-based simulation results.

Reducing Mutual Coupling of Closely Spaced Microstrip MIMO Antennas for WLAN Application

A microwave method based on complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs) is proposed for dielectric characterization of planar materials. The technique presents advantages such as high measurement sensitivity and eliminates the extensive sample preparation procedure needed in resonance-based methods. A sensor in the shape of CSRRs working at a 0.8-1.3 GHz band is demonstrated. The sensor is etched in the ground plane of a microstrip line to effectively create a stopband filter. The frequencies at which minimum transmission and minimum reflection are observed depend on the permittivity of the sample under test. The minimum transmission frequency shifts from 1.3 to 0.8 GHz as the sample permittivity changes from 1 to 10. The structure is fabricated using printed circuit board technology. Numerical findings are experimentally verified.

Material Characterization Using Complementary Split-Ring Resonators

Single-negative magnetic metamaterials are used in order to reduce mutual coupling between high-profile antennas used in multiple-input multiple-output systems. The magnetic permeability of the developed single-negative inclusions have negative effective response over a specific frequency band. The inclusions considered here are composed of broadside coupled split-ring resonators. The single-negative magnetic inclusions are inserted between closely-spaced high-profile monopole antenna elements. It is shown that mutual coupling between the antenna elements can be reduced significantly by incorporating such magnetic inclusions. Effective response of the constitutive parameters of the developed magnetic inclusions are incorporated within the numerical models. Good agreement is obtained between the experimental and numerical results.

Electromagnetic Coupling Reduction in High-Profile Monopole Antennas Using Single-Negative Magnetic Metamaterials for MIMO Applications

This letter presents a novel engineered magnetic superstrate designed to enhance the gain and efficiency of a microstrip patch antenna without any substantial increase in the profile of the whole structure (the antenna with the superstrate). The modified split ring resonator (MSRR) inclusions are used in the design of the engineered magnetic superstrate. Numerical full-wave simulations as well as analytical models are used to analyze the entire radiating system. Considering as an example a microstrip antenna operating within the UMTS band, the broadside gain of the antenna was improved by 3.4 dB and the efficiency was improved by 17% when using the engineered superstrate. The total height of the proposed structure, antenna with superstrate, is lambda0/7, where lambda0 is the free-space wavelength at the resonance frequency of the antenna.

Enhanced-Gain Microstrip Antenna Using Engineered Magnetic Superstrates

A new sensor based on complementary split-ring resonators is presented to detect sub-millimeter surface cracks. The sensing mechanism is based on perturbing the electromagnetic field around an electrically small resonator, thus initiating a shift in the resonance frequency. The sensor is simple to fabricate and inexpensive as it is etched out in the ground plane of a microstrip-line using printed circuit board technology. The sensor exhibits a frequency shift of more than 240 MHz for a 100 μm crack.

Complementary Split-Ring Resonator for Crack Detection in Metallic Surfaces

A microwave sensor for non-destructive measurement of dielectric thickness is presented. The sensor is a quasi-static resonator and based on complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) structure. When the CSRR structure is backed by a conductive medium covered with a dielectric layer the resonance frequency of the CSRR has a strong dependence on the thickness of the dielectric layer. Effect of the size of CSRR sensor on the sensitivity is analyzed numerically. For experimental verification, a CSRR sensor that operates in the 1.6 to 2.3 GHz band is fabricated and excited by a microstrip line.

Muhammed S. Boybay

Papers

Material Characterization Using Complementary Split-Ring Resonators

Electromagnetic Coupling Reduction in High-Profile Monopole Antennas Using Single-Negative Magnetic Metamaterials for MIMO Applications

Enhanced-Gain Microstrip Antenna Using Engineered Magnetic Superstrates

Complementary Split-Ring Resonator for Crack Detection in Metallic Surfaces

Non-Destructive Thickness Measurement Using Quasi-Static Resonators