Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper presents a novel broadband circularly polarized optically transparent monopole antenna using indium tin oxide (ITO) and PMMA. The proposed design successfully integrates ultra-wideband circular polarization characteristics with exceptional optical transparency. The antenna, constructed with a three-layer configuration utilizing ITO films as both the radiating patch and ground plane, along with transparent PMMA serving as the substrate, features compact dimensions of 40 × 40 × 1 mm3. By leveraging a co-optimized design incorporating a slotted hexagonal-ring radiating patch, triangular perturbation ground plane, and stepped-impedance feeding structure, the antenna achieves a circularly polarized operating bandwidth of 2.8–6.6 GHz (fractional bandwidth of 77.9%), with an axial ratio < 3 dB and return loss < −15 dB. The experimental findings exhibit strong consistency with the simulations, illustrating a high level of visible-light transmittance and radiation patterns characterized by right-hand circular polarization in the positive z-axis direction (+z) and left-hand circular polarization in the negative z-axis direction (−z). This innovative antenna shows great potential for applications in smart windows, display integration, and 5G communication systems.
Source: Micromachines
DOI: 10.3390/mi17020182
Authors: Kunlun Wang, Mingyang Liu, Guang Lu, Hao Zhang
Institution: Shandong University
Language: English
Topic: Antenna Design and Analysis
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,534
Awards: G6965981185, G8351248145
OpenAlex ID: W7126103429