A built-in hepta-band monopole antenna with a slit-taper-shaped ground plane for wireless mobile terminals

We propose a built-in hepta-band monopole antenna that uses a uniquely shape ground plane for wireless mobile terminals. The proposed antenna consists of a triple-band monopole radiating element, as well as a parasitic element with a slit-taper-shaped ground plane to broaden the bandwidth. The antenna was designed and simulated with the FDTD method. Simulation results show that the slit improves antenna characteristics at lower frequencies, while at higher frequencies the taper is more effective. The proposed antenna operates at the hepta-band, including the 700, 800, 1500, 1700, 2000, 2400, and 2500 MHz bands, with a reflection coefficient of less than -10 dB. The effects of placing a human hand on the radiation characteristics of the antenna have also been evaluated with a simplified human hand equivalent phantom.