Development of an ultra compact dual band antenna on a one cubic centimeter (1 cm3) surface

This paper discusses the development of a dual, broadband antenna, designed to be used for a compact sensor with total size no more than one cubic centimeter (1 cm³). The antenna specifications require more than 100 MHz bandwidth at 2.4 GHz and more than 1 GHz bandwidth at frequencies higher than 6 GHz. The 2.4 GHz radiation is used for the downlink, control data reception, and the wideband radiation is used to support the high data rate transmission to the sensor reader (uplink). A novel folded dual monopole antenna is presented that meets the sensor requirements. It is printed on two faces of a one cubic centimeter box. On one side a ldquofatrdquo monopole is implemented successfully for the wideband operation and on an adjacent side a folded monopole operates effectively at 2.4 GHz. Both monopoles use the same, common feed line. The sensor IC is embedded inside the 1 cm³ cube.