Capacitor-connected grids as one-dimensional UWB data transfer channels

Magneto-inductive waveguides (MIW) have previously been studied as candidates for contactless data transfer channels. This paper reports on an investigation of building a more strongly coupled structure, the capacitor-connected grid (CCG), by introducing additional electric coupling into traditional purely magnetically coupled MIWs. The dispersion characteristics of CCGs are studied using both analytical and experimental approaches, and this leads to an understanding of its coupling mechanism. The largest experimental fractional bandwidth achieved was up to 193.5%, which closely approaches the 200% maximum limit of an ultra-wideband (UWB) channel. This clearly shows the potential of CCG structures for improving bandwidth performance over traditional MIWs.