Performance evaluation of a dual band paper substrate wireless sensor networks antenna over curvilinear surfaces

This study brings out the design, fabrication and performance evaluation of a compact, dual band antenna on paper substrate. The two bands of operations are 2.18 to 2.50 and 5.22 to 5.72 GHz. These bands are used by the wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and radio frequency identification systems (RFID). The antenna becomes useful for the WSN nodes and RFID systems at these frequencies. The overall size of the antenna is 40 mm × 20 mm × 0.6 mm, which makes it a compact one. Antenna was tested for the effect of bending by placing it over curvilinear surfaces. The bending was done in horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) axes. These examinations will help to understand the effect of wind loading and other packaging related bending on antenna performance. The main features of this antenna are stability in performance under bent conditions, simple configuration and low cost of fabrication. A thin polyethylene layer has been used to laminate the antenna for permanence. The effect of lamination has also been explained in the course of the study.