Nickel Particle-Based Compact Flexible Antenna for Modern Communication Systems

Abstract

A flexible antenna is a significant part of the new generation of wireless communication systems. Conventional antennas are typically fabricated on available FR-4 and RT/Duroid dielectric materials, where the dielectric constant cannot be selected arbitrarily and the degrees of freedom in designing the antenna are limited, whereas our flexible substrate offers moderate dielectric values by changing the concentration of the raw materials. Synthesised nickel particle-based flexible nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) is utilized as a substrate material to make an effective antenna for microwave applications. The nickel aluminate substrate was made with 42% concentration of nickel, and has a dielectric constant of 4.979 and a thickness of 1 mm. The fabricated flexible antenna shows measured bandwidth from 6.50–8.85 GHz. On the other hand, the maximum measured gain and efficiency was 4.75 dBi and 91%, respectively. Finally, that antenna has directional radiation patterns and the presented antenna has a novelty where the nickel aluminate substrate was used for the first time. Thus the compactness of the antenna and its performance with a flexible nature makes it a worthy one to be used in the C-band application.

1. Introduction

Over the past few decades, the microstrip patch antenna has been used widely in wireless communication technology because of its optimal size and miniature shape characteristics. At present, flexible antennas are utilized due to their compactness with an advanced flexible substrate that can be easily integrated in electronic devises and cover their functional features. The low-cost flexible antennas are environmentally friendly and easy to manufacture. Various materials like conductive or non-conductive dielectrics are utilized to make this type of flexible antenna. The photolithography or etching processes are used to fabricate the antenna structure and creates large amount of waste due to its subtractive process. As a result, nowadays different types of flexible antennas are manufactured such as paper-based antennas [1], PET(Polyethylene terephthalate) substrates [2], polymer-based antennas [3], wearable antennas [4], fluidic antennas [5], textile antennas [6], carbon nanotube (CNT) antennas [7] and nickel-based metamaterial [8] for increasing the flexibility [9], reducing the waste, manufacturing cost and using low-cost materials.

In the developing field of wireless technology, a goal is to make flexible antennas having special properties with respect to those of bulk or single particle species. A low-cost paper-based flexible antenna for 2.45 GHz frequency band WLAN (wireless local area network) applications was presented by Anagnostou et al. The projected antenna was an IFA(Inverted-F antenna) with a backside ground plane and a topside metallic layer. The simulated and measured return loss have been in good agreement, with a −10 dB bandwidth that covers the entire WLAN frequency range. It detected only a 2% shift from what was expected [10]. Again, a flexible antenna based on a zero-order resonator was manufactured on liquid crystal polymer substrate (thickness of 100 μm) and the total dimension of the antenna was 30 × 30 mm² presented by Choi et al. Once the proposed antenna is flat, it has the average and peak gain of −1.84 dBi and 4.98 dBi, respectively, at the resonance point 3.18 GHz. While the antenna is bent with +900, then the average and peak gains are sequentially −2.46 dBi and 2.99 dBi [11]. In 2012, the presented antenna was a compact and flexible CPW (coplanar waveguide)-fed, UWB (Ultra-wideband) antenna, which consists of an elliptical patch and a modified ground plane to achieve impedance bandwidth between 2.52 GHz to 13.35 GHz. The substrate was composed of 0.78 mm thickness denim textile which has a permittivity of 1.8 and tangent loss of 0.07 at 2.4 GHz [12]. A flexible coplanar-fed dual band antenna was built on Kaptonr polyimide substrate for 2.45 GHz and 5.80 GHz ISM bands by Mesquita et al. in 2013 [13]. A flexible antenna proposed on 101 µm Ultralam 3850 for microwave imaging was reported by Porter et al. in 2014. The total antenna size was 24 × 32 mm². The simulated and measured S₁₁ for the flexible antenna was over the 1.5 GHz to 4.5 GHz frequency band. The author reported a near omnidirectional and broadside near-field radiation pattern with an efficiency of 47% from simulations, when in interaction with skin [14]. In 2015, Jung et al. offered a simple approach to make an implantable, yet compact and flexible, monopole antenna consisting of meandered strips and a coupling patch, fabricated on a thin coating of ultrathin Parylene C film substrate. Moreover, the antenna was first designed to operate in air and tuned at later stage after studying the effects when implanted under porcine skin. The results of the S11 of the flexible dual band (2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz). In addition, the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz associated measured maximum radiation gains were –5.4 dBi and 3.8 dBi, respectively. The characteristics of the proposed antenna have also shown negligible change under different bending conditions [15]. A modified microstrip patch antenna was designed on Polyethylene terephthalate substrate for 5G applications in 2017. The 60 × 75 mm² antenna was operated within 7.0 to 13 GHz and exhibits an almost omnidirectional radiation pattern with an average gain of 5 dBi [16]. Metallized form helps to design pico-cell based antenna operates at GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), Bluetooth/WLAN, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) which was shown total efficiency 75% [17].

In this paper, a new flexible antenna is introduced based on nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) substrate with 42% nickel concentration which has been synthesized by the sol–gel method. The prepared flexible antenna shows the simulated bandwidth of 1.67 GHz from 7.05 to 8.72 GHz, whereas the resonance point is at 8.15 GHz. The measured results show the bandwidth of 2.35 GHz from 6.50 to 8.85 GHz, whereas the resonance is sequentially at 7.75 GHz. As a result, the fabricated flexible antenna is applicable for C-band application. The measured maximum and average antenna gain are 4.75 dBi and 3.75 dBi and the radiation characteristics have a directional pattern.

2. Design of Flexible Antenna

Flexible Antenna at 42% Concentration of Nickel

The schematic structure of the microstrip-fed patch antenna is shown in Figure 1a–b. This antenna is designed on a flexible nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) material as a substrate material, where the molar ratio of [0.42(nickel):0.58(aluminium nitrate)]. Nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) material is chosen as substrate material with permittivity of 4.97, loss tangent of 0.007 and thickness of 0.5 mm.

The antenna is excited with a microstrip feed line printed on the bottom layer of substrate and a 50Ω SMA (SubMiniature version A) connector connected with the feed line and ground plane each other. In the figure, the antenna structure consists of a 19 × 13 mm² rectangular patch and a 25 × 8.5 mm² rectangular ground plane as well, the total length of the feed line is 6.5 mm, whereas the width is 4 mm. Moreover, the gaps between the patch and nickel aluminate substrate edge are 3 mm. Figure 1c–d shows the fabricated antenna prototype and

Table 1. Design specification of the proposed flexible antenna at 42% concentration of nickel.

Parameters	Size (mm)	Parameters	Size (mm)
Substrate Length (SUBL)	25	Ground Length (GNDL)	25
Substrate Width (SUBW)	27	Ground Width (GNDW)	8.5
Patch Length (PL)	19	Gap (G1)	3.0
Patch Width (PW)	13	Gap (G2)	2.0
Feed Line Length (FL)	6.5	Gap (G3)	10.5
Feed Line Width (FW)	4.0	Substrate Thickness (T)	1.0

demonstrates the detail design specification of the antenna.

3. Methodology and Measurement

Electromagnetic simulation helps estimating the fundamental field quantities from Maxwell’s equation adopting some numerical methods. It is important to undertake a highly exact design and investigation of confounded microwave and RF (radio frequency) printed circuit, antenna and other electronic segments. This also clarifies the electromagnetic wave propagation and interactions with metamaterials. Finite-difference time-domain method-based CST (computer simulation technology) Microwave Studio is used for obtaining the reflection coefficient, VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio), gain, efficiency and radiation patters for the designed antennas. A vector network analyzer Agilent P-series VNA (Vector network analyzer) (Agilent N5227A) equipped with two ports is used for the measurement. The calibration prior is required for error-free measurement. Scattering parameters return loss, VSWR and the phase of input impedance measurements are achieved by linking the fabricated antenna to port-1 of the network analyzer via a semi-rigid cable.

The radiation behaviors of the designed flexible antennas at 42% concentration of nickel have been measured in an anechoic chamber bounded near field measurement lab (UKM Satimo Star Lab) shown in Figure 2. The fabricated antenna is placed on the test board which is located at the center of a circular “arch” that covers 16 probes and the spacing between two probes is 22.5°. This spacing is appropriate for small antenna testing. For larger antennas, the position of the probe array can be mechanically offset. The antenna is rotated horizontally through 360° and summary of 360° rotation and array of 16 probes give a full wave 3D-scan of the under-tested antenna. To realize unlimited near-field sampling, the consuming standard spherical ray propagation technique and software are utilized to feed the radiation pattern that are entirely defined by a set of modal coefficients. To increase the efficiency and reduce the reflected signal of the designed antenna the absorbers are used to absorb the unwanted signal inside the anechoic chamber.

4. Results and Discussion

4.1. Preparation of Flexible Nickel Aluminate (NiAl₂O₄)

The sol–gel method is used to manufacture the final substrate [18]. Figure 3 presents a flow chart of the synthesis steps of nickel aluminate powder by the sol–gel method. For the preparation of nickel aluminate composite, initially two raw materials aluminium nitrate nonahydrate Al(NO₃)₃.9H₂O and nickel nitrate hexahydrate Ni(NO₃)₂.6H₂O were used in a molar ratio of [0.42(nickel):0.58 (aluminium nitrate)] for 42% concentration of nickel to make the solution. The subsequent complex solution became viscous, has transparent characteristics, and exhibits a light green colour. The water evaporates from the ready solution, and it is heated up to 90 °C and stirred endlessly for about 4 hours. The water completely evaporated and gave the impression of a greenish gel. The gel is placed into an alumina crucible furnace at 150 °C for the rest of the chemical reaction and for obtaining fine powder. At that time, the precursor was ground appropriately and for 1 hour calcined at 450 °C, and then we waited until the chemical reaction finished. Then dissolved polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adding to the synthesized NiAl₂O₄ powder and made the fabricated substrate followed by stirring. Figure 3 shows the total preparation process of nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) powder and fabricated nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) material at a concentration of 42% nickel, termed Ni₄₂.

Table 2. JMR information of the raw material.

Materials	JMR	moles	Ni46 (0.42)
Nickel nitrate hexahydrate (Ni(NO3)2.6H2O)	290.81	0.0375	4.580 gm
Aluminium nitrate nonahydrate (Al(NO3)3.9H2O)	375.13	0.0375	8.159 gm
Citric acid (C6H8O7).H2O	210.14	0.0375	7.88025 gm
Polyvinyl alcohol (C4H6O2)n	86.09	-	-
Distil water	50 mL

shows the relative molecular mass (JMR) and the volume of solvent and other materials used to produce solutions for calculation purposes. In this research, aluminium nitrate nonahydrate Al (NO₃)₃.9H₂O and nickel nitrate hexahydrate Ni (NO₃)₂.6H₂O were taken as raw materials to make the NiAl₂O₄ composite specimens using the well-known sol–gel method.

4.2. Flexible Antenna at 42% Concentration of Nickel

Numerical and measured results of the fabricated flexible antenna, where the concentration of nickel is 42%, are shown in Figure 4. The simulated resonance bandwidth is from 7.05 to 8.72 GHz (bandwidth of 1.67 GHz), whereas the measured resonance bandwidth is from 6.50 to 8.85 GHz (bandwidth of 2.35 GHz). As a result, from the resonance bandwidth it can be said that the fabricated antenna is applicable for C-band (6.50 GHz to 8.85 GHz) applications. In addition, the simulated resonance point is at 8.15 GHz, but the measured resonance point is at 7.75 GHz. Besides, from the results it is seen that there is a variation between the simulated and measured results. There are some pores in the substrate, which is why the effective area of the fabricated antenna is reduced than the simulated one. The impedance mismatch between the SMA connectors, the feedline fabrication and soldering tolerance of the antenna along with improper calibration of the VNA and Satimo chamber were possible reasons for the discrepancy of the simulated and measured results.

The measured and simulated gain of the antenna are shown in Figure 5a. Antenna gain is related to size of the antenna, substrate material properties and multiple layer of the substrate. The proposed compact antenna is designed on flexible nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) material where the ratio of nickel is 42%. The antenna has simulated maximum and average gain and are sequentially, 5.25 dBi and 4.25 dBi. In addition, the measured maximum and the average gain are 4.75 dBi and 3.75 dBi, respectively. Antenna efficiency is central importance in predicting radio communications reliability. It is the measurement of conversion of electrical current to radiated electromagnetic wave. New materials and smaller antennas are of significant interest to reduce e-waste and to make fabrication easier. A low-efficiency antenna has reduced gain and so the communications range is reduced. The fundamental limits on the maximum radiation efficiency are the various antenna parameters such as bandwidth, gain, Q factor and so on. Figure 5b shows the total efficiency of the proposed flexible antenna where the measured average efficiency is 85% and the maximum efficiency is 91%, whereas the simulated average efficiency is 85% and the maximum efficiency is 96%.

The current distribution of the designed antenna at the resonant frequencies 8.15 GHz is shown in Figure 6. The patch is a short resonant length of low-impedance and have high magnitude in the edges and maximum current distribution at the center of the patch at the resonant frequency. The distribution strongly depends on the height of substrate which is obtainable for the antenna size. The electric surface current density at each position on the lower surface is equal to the magnetic field under the patch.

Both simulated and measured radiation patterns in the case of co-polarization and cross-polarization in the E-plane and H-plane are compared in Figure 7a,b respectively, whereas Eθ represents the co-polarization and Eφ represents the cross-polarization. The co-polarization is more noteworthy than the cross-polarization in both E-plane and H-plane. The radiation pattern exhibited that at 7.75 GHz, the current is well distributed over the patch, and the patterns are almost directional. Moreover, a better radiation pattern depends basically on precisely situating the probe, and reducing distortions in the field presented by the room or track.

4.3. Parametric Analysis of the Proposed Flexible Patch Antenna

Figure 8a–d present the parametric analysis of the designed antenna, which is necessary to understand the effects of different elements in antenna geometry and how the elements affect the antenna performances. In Figure 8a–b a rectangular radiating patch is attached where the current is distributed well around the patch and expands the bandwidth and gain. The dimension of the ground plane is not so high, so less current is distributed on the ground plane and has less effect on the antenna performance. At the time of operation, the antenna acts like a capacitor or inductor, when the signals with phases are passes through the antenna. At low frequency operation the antenna radiating patch is not a good conductor, so conductivity is improved by the ground or additional metal strips. In Figure 8c the radiating patch structure is cut like triangle and finally a metallic strip relates to the upper edge of the triangular patch and generates a slot as shown in Figure 8d. The performance of all antenna structures is displayed in Figure 9. From Figure 9, the proposed antennas have optimal compute results in respect of VSWR. If the VSWR is lower than 2.0, the antenna impedance match is considered perfect and antenna performed well but when VSWR are increased more than 2.0 then the antenna starts to reflect more power and therefore does not transmit.

Table 3. Comparison of the radiating patch effects on voltage standing wave ratio.

Structural Parametric Analysis	Frequency Regimes (VSWR < 2)
Patch Strucutre-1	5 ~ 5.64 GHz
Patch Strucutre-2	5 ~ 8.51 GHz
Patch Strucutre-3	7.52 ~ 8.91 GHz
Patch Strucutre-4	5.80 ~ 9.30 GHz

represents the band of frequencies; where VSWR are lower than 2.0 at different structural arrangement of the proposed antenna configuration.

To confirm the novelty of the proposed flexible antennas,

Table 4. Performance summary of the proposed flexible material-based patch antennas.

Properties	Flexible Antenna at 42% Concentration of Nickel
Total Dimension	25 × 27 mm2
Substrate Material	Nickel aluminate (NiAl2O4)
Return loss	Less than -10 dB
VSWR	Less than 2.0
Input Impedance	50 Ω
Operating Frequency	5 ~ 12.5 GHz
Resonance Frequencies	7.75 GHz
Measured Bandwidth	2.35 GHz
Maximum Gain (dBi)	4.75 dBi
Total Efficiency	91%
Radiation Pattern	Directional
Applications	C-Band

summarizes the performances of the proposed antennas in terms of size in the antenna, impedance bandwidth, gain, efficiency, radiation patter and application. From Table 4, it can be seen that the proposed antennas are compact in size, have larger bandwidth, acceptable gain, efficiency and directional radiation patterns. The antennas are fabricated on the flexible nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) material at 42% concentration, whereas the operating frequency from 5 GHz to 12 GHz. In addition, the flexible antenna has efficiency of 91% as well as gain of 4.75 dBi, respectively. Besides, the antenna has a directional radiation pattern and is applicable for C-band (at 42% concentration) application.

Table 5. Comparison between the proposed and existing material antennas.

References	Substrate Material	Dimensions (mm2)	Bandwidth (GHz)	Gain (dBi)	Applications
Anagnostou et al. [10]	Organic paper	46 × 30	0.42	1.2	WLAN
Choi et al. [11]	Liquid crystal polymer	30 × 30	0.07	4.98	Wi-Fi
Porter et al. [14]	Rogers Ultralam 3850	24 × 32	3.0	2.7	Microwave Imaging
Jung et al. [15]	Ultrathin Parylene C film	26.48 × 18.20	3.4	3.8	WLAN
Kaur et al. [19]	Teflon	85 × 90	0.53	6.81	WLAN, Wi-Fi
Tighezza et al. [16]	Polyethylene terephthalate	60 × 75	6.0	5	5G
Simorangkir et al. [20]	Polydi methylsiloxane	80 × 67	6.0	4.53	UWB
Proposed Antenna	Nickel aluminate	25 × 27	2.35	4.75	C-Band

demonstrates the comparison between the developed flexible material antenna with the existing various flexible material antennas. From the table, the largest antenna was presented by Kaur et al. But the antenna gain was high, and bandwidth was narrow. Porter et al. developed an antenna on flexible Rogers Ultralam 3850 material whose dimension was 24 × 32 mm², bandwidth of 3.0 GHz, and gain of 2.7 dBi, for microwave imaging applications. Furthermore, Simorangkir et al. also established an 80 × 67 mm² antenna on flexible polydi methylsiloxane material, which had 6.0 GHz wide bandwidth and 4.53 dBi gain for UWB applications. In this research, the antenna is developed using flexible nickel aluminate as a substrate material. The reported antennas are compact in size (25×27 mm²), large bandwidth, high gain and applicable for C-band application.

5. Conclusions

The flexible antenna has been analyzed, designed and developed on prepared flexible nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) material. The developed flexible nickel aluminate (NiAl₂O₄) material has dielectric permittivity of 4.97 as well as loss tangent of 0.007 at 42% concentration of nickel. The developed antenna shows that simulated resonance bandwidth is from 7.05 to 8.72 GHz (bandwidth of 1.67 GHz), whereas the measured resonance bandwidth is from 6.5 to 8.85 GHz (bandwidth of 2.35 GHz). As a result, the fabricated flexible antenna is applicable for C-band applications with the maximum measured gain of 4.75 dBi. The optimal performances of the compact flexible antenna validate has potential as a suitable candidate for microwave frequency region applications in the near future.