Flexible zeroth-order resonant antenna independent of substrate deformation

A novel flexible zeroth-order resonant (ZOR) antenna is proposed. Its zero phase constant ensures that the antenna performance is independent of substrate deformation. A composite right/left-handed transmission line is designed based on coplanar waveguide technology to realise the zeroth-order resonance phenomenon. This provides good performance: reasonable bandwidth (6.5%) and peak gain (0.69 - 1.39 dBi). Simulated and measured results show that the antenna´s resonant frequencies and radiation patterns are almost unchanged at different curvature diameters of 30, 50, 70 mm, as well as for a flat surface. It is belived that this is the first reported ZOR antenna on a flexible substrate.