Design and experimental wideband hexagonal slot array patch antenna

This paper presents the design and experimental of a broadband coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed hexagonal slot array patch antenna. The results of the return loss (S₁₁), gain and radiation pattern of the proposed antenna have been simulated by using antenna analysis software IE3D program. The transmission line and ground plane have been designed to be on the same plane with antenna slot to be applicable for wideband operation. It is found that the proposed antenna is accessible to bandwidth about 107.69%, a very large bandwidth comparing with conventional microstrip antennas, which mostly 1-5% bandwidth. Measured maximum gains were approximately 4.11 dBi, 4.61 dBi for 2.45 GHz, 3.1 GHz band, respectively. The proposed antenna can be used for many wireless systems such as GSM1800, GSM1900, IMT-2000 and WLAN. Finally, simulation and measurement results for the design example are presented and a conclusion follows.