Efficient broadband fractal antenna for WiMAX and WLAN

Abstract

This article presents a new design of a compact fractal antenna that operates across various wireless communication applications with wideband functionality. With a peak gain of 6.8 dB and a radiation efficiency ranging from 91% to 94%, the designed antenna operates in the frequency range of 3.2–7.5 GHz. The antenna consists of a rectangular radiator with integrated rectangular slots on one side of an FR4 substrate, while a partial ground plane is etched on the other side. The fabricated prototype was tested and measured. The results present a good agreement with the simulated results. The results presented by this antenna demonstrate high competitiveness for wireless communication applications such as Wi-Fi and WLAN and presents a promising solution to meet the increasing demand for compact and high-performance wireless communication devices. Additionally, the antenna has a small size of only 34 × 30 × 1.6 mm³, making it suitable for applications where space is limited. Overall, this paper provides an innovative and efficient design that offers excellent performance and is suitable for various wireless communication applications.

1. Introduction

In recent decades, the progress of wireless communication has undergone rapid advancements, transforming it into an indispensable aspect of our everyday routines. The development and widespread adoption of wireless technologies have revolutionized the way we communicate, access information, and interact with the world around us. In a wireless communication system, signals are transmitted and received without the need for wires or cables [1,2]. This has enabled people to communicate and access information more conveniently and efficiently, from anywhere at any time.

Wireless communication is used in various applications such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and other smart devices. It also plays a vital role in industries like healthcare, transportation, and entertainment. The advancement of wireless communication has indeed led to the development of several new technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G, that have greatly improved the speed, range, and reliability of wireless communication systems. These advancements in wireless communication technologies have transformed the way we connect and communicate, enabling us to stay connected on the go, share information seamlessly, and leverage emerging technologies that rely on wireless connectivity. As research and development continue, we can expect further improvements in speed, range, and reliability [3,4] paving the way for even more innovative applications and services in the future.

Wideband antennas play a crucial role in numerous wireless communication, sensing, and radar systems. The latest improvements in antenna technology have paved the way for the creation of novel methods for designing wideband antennas [5,6]. One of the promising techniques is the use of multilayer antennas, which involve stacking multiple layers of conductive and dielectric materials to achieve greater bandwidth [7]. Another approach is the use of reconfigurable antennas, which can adjust the antenna properties in real-time to adapt to changing signal conditions. This technique may include switches, tunable capacitors, or other elements that can alter the antenna's resonant frequency or radiation pattern [8,9]. MIMO antenna is another method that uses multiple antennas to increase the capacity and performance of wireless communication systems by exploiting the spatial diversity of radio waves. It enables the transmission and reception of multiple signals simultaneously, improving the data rate and reliability of wireless communication systems, resulting in ultra-wideband communication with high efficacy and gain [[10], [11], [12], [13]]. This technology is widely used in the wireless communication industry [14,15]. The use of metamaterials [16] and fractal antennas [17] has contributed to significant improvements in wireless communication systems. These techniques allow for the creation of unique electromagnetic properties and offer broadband operation that can be tailored to specific applications. Overall, the continued development of these techniques is enabling the creation of highly capable and versatile wideband antennas that are well-suited to a wide range of wireless communication applications.

Fractal antennas are a type of antenna design that utilizes self-similar patterns, meaning they exhibit similar structures and characteristics at different scales to improve their performance, particularly in terms of bandwidth and size reduction [18,19]. The intricate self-similar patterns enable fractal antennas to cover a broad range of frequencies and offer improved performance in terms of impedance matching, radiation efficiency, and radiation pattern control. There are several types of fractal antennas, each with unique characteristics. For example, Iterated Function System (IFS) antennas are made by applying a set of mathematical functions to a starting shape repeatedly, resulting in an antenna with a compact size and a broadband frequency response [20]. Sierpinski antennas are made by removing triangles from a larger triangle iteratively, creating a complex and irregular shape that provides multiband and wideband performance [21]. Koch antennas are made by adding smaller triangles to the sides of a larger triangle iteratively, resulting in an antenna with a wideband response and a compact size [22]. Minkowski antennas are created by adding smaller squares to the sides of a larger square iteratively, resulting in an antenna with a wideband response and a compact size [23]. Fractal antennas are created by utilizing fractal resonators, which make it possible to alter the direction of current flow and expand its reach over longer distances. This, in turn, creates new resonant frequencies, resulting in ultra-wideband operation [24]. Despite their compact size, fractal antennas can achieve electrical properties that are comparable to those of larger conventional antennas. As such, they are becoming increasingly popular in wireless communication applications where size and performance are both critical factors.

The researchers of [25] propose a wideband antenna with Cantor set fractal slots to improve the bandwidth of the antenna and optimize its performance in vehicular environments. P. Sura and M. Sekhar described in Ref. [26] a compact dual-band slot antenna with circular polarization, making it well-suited for use in small devices like smartphones and tablets for wireless applications. This ref. [27] discusses a bi-band circular slot antenna that is appropriate for applications involving WiMAX and WLAN with stable radiation characteristics. A hexagon microstrip antenna design optimized for vehicle-to-vehicle communication is proposed in Ref. [28], the authors improved the bandwidth and radiation efficiency while remaining compact. A dual-band frequency-tunable magnetic dipole antenna is presented in it is designed to be compact and low profile while offering the flexibility to operate at two different frequencies for WiMAX/WLAN applications.

This study presents a novel antenna design that utilizes fractal slots and a circular-shaped partial ground plane to achieve a wideband characteristic. The FR-4 substrate is used as patch support due to its excellent electrical insulation properties and cost-effectiveness. With its compact dimensions measuring 34 × 30 × 1.6 mm³, the antenna becomes an ideal choice for portable devices that have limited space requirements. With a wideband frequency range of 3.2–7.5 GHz, the antenna offers greater flexibility and versatility. Its broadband frequency also makes it appropriate for WiMAX and WLAN applications, providing faster data transfer rates and wider coverage areas. Moreover, the proposed antenna exhibits a high gain that reaches 6.8 dB and a radiation efficiency that varies from 91% to 94% across the operating band. In summary, this antenna design represents a substantial improvement, providing exclusive advantages and numerous potential applications. The performance of this antenna demonstrates its strong competitiveness in the field of wireless applications.

The paper is structured into multiple sections. Section 2 provides an overview of the design process for the proposed patch, detailing the various development steps and size specifications of the antenna. Moving to Section 3, the performance characteristics of the antenna are examined, including a parametric study and analysis of the surface current distribution. In Section 4, the fabrication of the prototype is discussed, along with an in-depth examination of the measured results. Finally, the paper concludes with a conclusion followed by a reference list.

2. Antenna design

2.1. Geometry of the miniaturized antenna

Fig. 1 (a, b) depicts the structure of the miniaturized planar antenna developed by this letter. In the design of the radiator, a fractal slot technique has been incorporated. Fractal slot antennas utilize intricate fractal geometries in the slots or openings within the antenna structure. These fractal patterns are chosen for their ability to enhance antenna performance in various ways.

Fig. 1.

The suggested antenna; (a) top view and (b) back view.

This antenna is composed of a rectangular resonator with rectangular slots engraved on the top layer of a 1.6 mm thick FR-4 substrate. To enhance impedance adaptation, a partial ground has been employed in place of the traditional rectangular ground plane. This ground plane consists of a square section engraved in a half-disc-shaped section, with a rectangular slot of thickness “ep" = 1 mm. There are several techniques for feeding a patch antenna, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common techniques include inset feed, edge feed, coaxial feed, and proximity feed. In this work, a microstrip feed line is adopted for the proposed antenna. The size of the proposed antenna is 30 × 34 mm², it was optimized using HFSS. The specific dimension values of the suggested antenna can be found in Table 1.

Table 1.

Various parameters of the antenna presented.

Parameters	Values (mm)	Parameters	Values (mm)
L	34	S	2.83
W	30	T	0.18
Lf1	5.66	R	15
Lf2	8	Ep	1
Wf1	2.2	A	13
Wf2	1.2	B	3
H	19.31	C	3

2.2. Design evolution methodology

In this part, the process of designing the antenna is presented and analyzed. The utilization of rectangular slots in both the patch and the partial ground plane is crucial for achieving the desired wideband performance. Fig. 2 depicts the various design stages that were utilized to achieve the final structure.

Fig. 2.

The design process of the proposed antenna: (a) initiator, (b) Iteration 1, (c) Iteration 2, (d) Iteration 3, (c) Iteration 4, (f) Proposed Design.

The initial stage shows a straightforward of rectangular printed monopole antenna design, as illustrated in Fig. 2 (a). The initiator rectangular radiator is powered by a microstrip feed line. The dimensions of the rectangular radiator, including its width and length, were calculated using the transmission line theory [29]. The width of the radiator (Wp) can be determined by using equation (1):

$${\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{P}}=\frac{\mathrm{c}}{2{\mathrm{f}}_{\mathrm{r}}}\sqrt{\frac{2}{{\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\mathrm{r}}+1}}$$ (1)

The variables c, ${\mathrm{f}}_{\mathrm{r}}$, and ${\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\mathrm{r}}$ correspond to the speed of light in free space, resonant frequency, and relative permittivity, respectively. Using Equation (2), it is possible to determine the length of the printed monopole.

$${\mathrm{L}}_{\mathrm{P}}=\frac{\mathrm{c}}{2{\mathrm{f}}_{\mathrm{r}}\sqrt{{\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\text{eff}}}}-2\Delta {\mathrm{L}}_{\mathrm{P}}$$ (2)

The variables C, $2\Delta {\mathrm{L}}_{\mathrm{P}}$, and ${\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\text{eff}}$ represent the velocity of light, the change in the length of the printed monopole caused by its fringing effect, and the effective dielectric constant, respectively, and are calculated by Eqs. (3), (4):

$${\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\text{reff}}=\frac{{\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\mathrm{r}}+1}{2}+\frac{{\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\mathrm{r}}-1}{2}\times {\left[1+12\frac{\mathrm{h}}{{\mathrm{w}}_{\mathrm{p}}}\right]}^{-\frac{1}{2}}$$ (3)

$$\Delta \mathrm{L}=0,241\mathrm{h}\frac{\left(\mathrm{\epsilon }\text{eff}+0,3\right)}{\left(\mathrm{\epsilon }\text{eff}-0,258\right)}\frac{\left(\frac{\mathrm{L}}{\mathrm{h}}+0,264\right)}{\left(\frac{\mathrm{L}}{\mathrm{h}}+0,8\right)}$$ (4)

Fig. 3 illustrates the simulated reflection coefficient (S11) for each phase of the antenna design process. The basic microstrip patch antenna depicted in Fig. 2 (a) produces a single resonant frequency that lies between 6.95 and 7.44 GHz.

Fig. 3.

The simulated S11 values for various stages of the antenna design process.

The base radiator undergoes modification in the second stage by removing six rectangular sections from its lower side, three on the right and three on the left of the feed line, in order to achieve the desired edge size ‘S,’ as illustrated in Fig. 2 (b). This results in one operating band, which spans from 3.83 to 5.24 GHz according to Fig. 3.

In the second step, as depicted in Fig. 2 (c), enhancements are made to the patch antenna structure by introducing rectangular cutouts identical to those used in iteration 2, but this time on its upper surface. This leads to the existence of two distinct operational frequency bands, as indicated in Fig. 3, covering the ranges of 3.15–4.2 GHz and 5.7–7.2 GHz. This modification brings about substantial enhancements in the antenna's performance, encompassing expanded bandwidth, enhanced impedance matching, and reduced physical dimensions. Consequently, it becomes a valuable tool in various wireless communication and sensing applications.

Fig. 3 also showcases the S11 results from the third iteration, highlighting further modifications made to the antenna design. As a result, two distinct frequency bands have become evident, with one wideband spanning a range of 2 GHz. This significant improvement can be attributed to the inclusion of rectangular sections, measuring 8 mm ‘Lf2’ in length and 0.5 mm in width, on two sides of the feed line, as shown in Fig. 2 (d). These additions provide greater control over the propagation of electromagnetic waves, resulting in an antenna design that is more efficient and effective. The emergence of two frequency bands is particularly noteworthy as it allows for the antenna to operate across a wider range of frequencies, making it a valuable tool in various applications that require broadband connectivity.

Slot shapes rectangular are often used in ground antennas due to their numerous advantages. These shapes offer a broad frequency range and are ideal for broadband antennas. Slot shapes rectangular also have a high efficiency, which means that they can transmit or receive signals with minimal loss. Additionally, they offer a directional gain, which allows them to focus the signal in a specific direction and reduce interference from other sources and can be easily fabricated and optimized for specific applications, making them a versatile and cost-effective solution for many different antenna designs. In the fourth iteration of the antenna design, a rectangular slit with a thickness of 1 mm was engraved in the half-disc-shaped partial ground section, as illustrated in Fig. 2 (e). The result was a wideband operating frequency range of 3.12 GHz, spanning from 3.71 to 6.83 GHz.

To achieve wideband frequencies ranging from 3.4 GHz to 7.57 GHz, a square slot of 3 mm edge has been engraved at the partial ground, as seen in Fig. 2 (f). This slot plays a crucial role in increasing the bandwidth of the antenna as it provides additional resonant.

frequencies and thus provided the desired wideband range. The square slot acts as a radiating element and enhances the coupling between the radiating patch and the partial ground plane, thereby improving the overall performance of the antenna.

2.3. Parametric study

A parametric study of an antenna involves systematically varying its design parameters and analyzing their impact on its performance metrics. This approach can help antenna designers to identify the optimal design parameters that meet the applications desired. The parameters that can be varied include antenna dimensions, feed location, number of elements, and material properties. Through the electromagnetic simulation software, the antenna can be modeled and simulated under various parameter values to evaluate its performance. The simulation results can then be analyzed to determine the optimal parameter values that achieve the desired electrical characteristics, such as gain, directivity, bandwidth, radiation pattern, impedance, and efficiency. This process can help antenna designers to optimize the antenna for specific applications and ensure that it performs optimally in its intended environment.

2.3.1. Effect of slot ‘A' position variations

The proper positioning of a slot in the ground of an antenna is crucial for optimal electrical performance. Even slight variations in the slot's position can cause significant changes in the antenna's radiation pattern, impedance, and bandwidth. To better understand the impact of slot position on antenna performance, a study was conducted on the suggested antenna by varying the position ‘A' of the slot in the partial ground from 11 to 14 mm. According to the results shown in Fig. 4, it appears that the position of slot ‘A' at 13 mm may be the most effective value for the antenna's electrical performance.

Fig. 4.

The Simulated S11 at different values of A.

2.3.2. Effect of substrate length ‘L’

The substrate length can affect the impedance matching of the antenna, which can impact the antenna's performance. In antenna design, the choice of substrate length is indeed crucial for achieving the desired electrical performance. The substrate length refers to the physical length of the substrate material on which the antenna is fabricated. A study was carried out to investigate how the length of the substrate, denoted by ‘L', affects the performance of the proposed antenna. The substrate length is varied from 32 to 35 mm, in increments of 1 mm. Based on the findings presented in Fig. 5, it appears that the optimal substrate length for achieving the best performance of the suggested antenna is L = 34 mm.

Fig. 5.

Simulated S11 at different values of ‘L’.

2.3.3. Effect of the width ‘T’

The parametric study in this letter concludes with the investigation of the impact of varying the width ‘T' on the performance of the proposed antenna. The variation of ‘T' is chosen between 0 and 1.18 mm. The results presented in Fig. 6 indicate that T = 0.18 mm is the optimal width for achieving the best performance of the proposed antenna.

Fig. 6.

The Simulated S11 at different values of T.

Fig. 7 depicts the surface current distributions at two different resonant frequencies, namely 4.2 and 6.62 GHz. These visualizations offer a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of the designed wideband antenna. The surface current distributions were analyzed using the HFSS simulator to validate the impact of slots on the proposed antenna's performance. In Fig. 7 (a), it is evident that at 4.2 GHz, a major portion of the current flows through the feedline and lower edges of the radiator, indicating their crucial role in generating the desired resonance. On the other hand, at 6.62 GHz, the current flows through all edges of the resonator, suggesting a more evenly distributed current across the antenna.

Fig. 7.

Surface current density (a) at 4.2 GHz and (b) at 6.62 GHz.

3. Results and discussion

The antenna fabricated depicted in Fig. 8 (a – c) has been constructed on an FR4 substrate measuring 34 × 30 mm² to verify the accuracy of the simulation results obtained through the high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) software. The patch was carefully tuned through a rigorous parametric optimization process to produce the reflection coefficient illustrated in Fig. 9, which demonstrates good agreement between the simulated and measured S11.

Fig. 8.

Manufactured antenna ((a) front and (b) back view), (c) mounted antenna inside an anechoic chamber.

Fig. 9.

Comparison of simulated and measured reflection coefficient (S11).

Crucial performance metrics for assessing an antenna include its S-parameters, gain, and efficiency, all measured through a series of experiments and calculations. S-parameters, which illustrate the relationship between incident and reflected/transmitted waves, demand a meticulous process involving network analyzers. This begins with setting up the measurement and ensuring proper calibration to mitigate losses or reflections. S11, representing return loss, is then determined by sweeping frequencies. Gain, on the other hand, necessitates placement in an anechoic chamber or open-field range. The antenna's radiation pattern is carefully gauged in both horizontal and vertical planes, measuring signal strength across various angles and distances. Lastly, antenna efficiency, quantifying power conversion, involves measuring total input power and radiated power and applying a straightforward formula for percentage calculation. The precision of these measurements hinges on equipment quality, calibration, and the test environment, occasionally complemented by numerical simulations for a comprehensive performance evaluation.

To measure the reflection coefficient of the proposed wideband antenna, a vector network analyzer was used. The comparison between the simulated and measured reflection coefficients demonstrates a good agreement and confirms the wideband operation of the antenna over a broad frequency range. However, a minor difference was observed, which could be due to manufacturing and measurement circumstances. The suggested antenna has a broadband range of 4.3 GHz, covering frequencies between 3.2 GHz and 7.5 GHz, with two resonant frequencies at 4.2 GHz and 6.62 GHz, having reflection coefficients of −29 dB and −20.70 dB, respectively. The broadband antenna design provided coverage for the WiMAX bands at frequencies of 3.3/3.5/5/5.5 GHz and WLAN at frequencies of 3.6/4.9–5.9 GHz.

The anechoic chamber provides a controlled environment that is free from external noise and interference, which allows accurate measurement of the radiation pattern, gain, and efficiency of the antenna under test. By using an anechoic chamber, the measurements are not affected by reflections from nearby objects, ground, or other structures that can distort the results. Fig. 10 displays the peak gains graph of.

Fig. 10.

Comparison of simulated and measured Peak gain.

both simulated and measured. The graph indicates that there is a close match between the two traces. Based on the measurements, the proposed antenna's peak realized gains range from 2 dB to 6.8 dB. Moreover, Fig. 10 unmistakably illustrates that the peak gain also rises with an increase in frequency. This phenomenon can be attributed to the expansion of the electrical size of the patch beyond its physical size as the frequency increases.

The high simulated radiation efficiency of 98% indicates that the proposed antenna is able of radiating energy effectively at different frequencies within the operating band. The measured radiation efficiency varies between 91% and 94% across the operating band, which affirms that the antenna is efficient in transmitting or receiving signals at all frequencies within the band. The radiation efficiency values displayed in Fig. 11 provide important insights into the performance of the proposed antenna. The high radiation efficiency of the antenna across the operating band indicates that it can be a suitable choice for various applications that require efficient signal transmission or reception at different frequencies.

Fig. 11.

Comparison of simulated and measured radiation efficiency.

The radiation patterns of the fractal antenna in the E (φ = 0°) and H (φ = 90°) planes, which were simulated using HFSS

software and measured inside an anechoic chamber, are illustrated in Fig. 12. Simulated and measured results demonstrate a significant concurrence at the resonant frequencies of 4.2 GHz and 6.62 GHz, as shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 12.

2D radiation pattern at (a) 4.2 GHz, and (b) 6.62 GHz.

(a) and (b). At lower frequencies, the radiation patterns exhibit bidirectional radiation “8″ shaped patterns in both H and E planes. However, as the frequency rises, the radiation shifts towards quasi-omnidirectional. As evident, the stability of the FR4 substrate diminishes at higher frequencies. An antenna with a non-uniform radiation pattern may be suitable for wireless communication applications due to its ability to provide directional coverage, reduce interference, improve privacy and security, support long-range communications, enable frequency reuse, adapt to harsh environments, and facilitate tracking or beamforming. Antenna design is tailored to meet specific system requirements and objectives, making it a valuable tool for optimizing wireless communication performance in a variety of scenarios.

In Table 2, a comparison is made between the proposed broadband antenna and various antennas reported in previous literature. The focus of this comparison is on size, impedance bandwidth, and gain, especially for WLAN and WiMAX applications. The antenna highlighted in Ref. [14] has a relatively large size of 48 × 29 × 1.6 mm³ and offers a gain that does not exceed 4.84 dB with a narrow bandwidth. Although the antenna proposed in Ref. [15] use a RO4350 substrate and offers a wide bandwidth of 2.5 GHz, it has large dimensions that may pose problems related to space requirements. The antenna in Ref. [25], is slightly smaller than the proposed antenna, but it operates within a narrower frequency range of 3.22–6.5 GHz, with a smaller bandwidth of 3.28 GHz, and has a slightly lower peak gain of 5.25 dB and lower efficiency compared to the proposed antenna. Moving on to the antenna [26], it has large dimensions and operates within a narrow frequency range split into two bands of 3.35–3.9 GHz and 4.8–6 GHz, with small bandwidths of 0.55 GHz and 1.2 GHz, respectively, and peak gain not exceeding 4.8 dB.

Table 2.

Comparison between the suggested antenna performance and other published results in the literature.

Réf.	Size (mm3)	Type of Substrat	Fr. Range (GHz)	B·W (GHz)	Resonant Fr. (GHz)	Peak Gain (dB)	Efficiency %
[12]	40 × 45 x 1.6	FR4	1.31–6.81	5.5	3.79 5.5	–	–
[13]	97.48 × 80 x 0.5	FR4	2.20–2.61 3.38–3.98	0.41 0.60	2.39 3.77	–	82.54 75.11
[14]	48 × 29 x 1.6	FR4	5–6	1	5.6	4.84	90
[15]	50 × 40 x 0.76	RO4350	4–6.5	2.5	5.8	–	80
[25]	31 × 28 x 1.6	FR4	3.22–6.5	3.28	3.71–5.9	3 to 5.25	–
[26]	40 × 29 x 1.6	FR4	3.35–3.9 4.8–6	0.55 1.2	3.5 5.2	4.8	–
[27]	40 × 40 x 1.6	FR4	2.88–3.92 5.26–6.28	1.04 1.02	3.38 5.86	0.8 to 6	82 93
[28]	30 × 15 x 3	FR4	4.74–6.79	2.05	5.9	–	–
[30]	40 × 40 x 0.764	F4B	3.28–3.51 5.47–6.03	0.23 0.56	3.39 5.75	–	30.2 to 52
Our antenna	34 × 30 x 1.6	FR4	3.2–7.5	4.3	4.2 6.62	2 to 6.8	91 to 94

The antenna provided by Ref. [27] has a large size of 40 × 40 × 1.6 mm³, with a frequency range split into two bands of 2.88–3.92 GHz and 5.26–6.28 GHz, and bandwidths of 1.04 GHz and 1.02 GHz, respectively. Additionally, the patch proposed by Ref. [28] is smaller in form factor but thicker than the proposed antenna, operating within a narrow frequency range of 4.74–6.79 GHz, with a small bandwidth of 2.05 GHz and only one resonant frequency. Despite its compact physical size, the antenna mentioned in Ref. [30] has a complex design and exhibits low efficiency not exceeding 52% with two low bandwidths.

Overall, the proposed antenna outperforms the other antennas in terms of its size, frequency range, bandwidth, and peak gain, making it a strong candidate for its intended applications.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, this article introduces a compact wideband fractal monopole antenna designed for wireless communication applications. The antenna's structure has been designed using HFSS software, and the analysis results have shown that the suggested antenna requires a small form factor of 34 × 30 × 1.6 mm³. Wide operating bandwidths are achieved by employing a rectangular radiator with rectangular slots etched on the top layer of a 1.6 mm thick FR-4 substrate, along with a partial ground plane on the second substrate surface. The analysis of the suggested antenna demonstrates its broad frequency range, operating from 3.2 to 7.5 GHz, with a peak gain of 6.8 dB and radiation efficiency of 91%–94% throughout the operating band. The measured results of the fabricated prototype align well with the simulated results. This antenna design offers excellent performance for various wireless communication applications like Wi-Fi, WLAN, and Bluetooth due to its compact size, lightweight, and broadband characteristics with favorable radiation parameters. Overall, this presented antenna design holds great promise in meeting the growing demand for compact and high-performance wireless communication devices.

Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Mohamed Marzouk: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Validation, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Ibrahime Hassan Nejdi: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Supervision, Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Conceptualization. Rhazi Youssef: Software, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Shuvra Barua: Visualization, Software, Resources, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis. Saih Mohamed: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Software, Methodology, Investigation. Sarosh Ahmad: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Software, Resources. Mousa Hussein: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Resources, Project administration, Funding acquisition.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.