Aperture coupled UWB microstrip patch antenna array for mm-Wave chipless RFID tag reader

Abstract

A 4×4 aperture coupled UWB microstrip patch antenna array for mm-wave chipless RFID tag reader is presented. The antenna is operating over the 21-27 GHz frequency band with 20 dBi gain. A systematic approach has been followed to design the antenna array, where, firstly a single antenna element is optimized, then a feed network using multistage power divider is designed and finally, the 4×4 antenna array is developed and optimized. Simulation and measurement results of the antenna are described in details with gain, radiation pattern and impedance behavior. Finally, the assembled antenna is used for measuring mm-wave chipless tag to validate its functional accuracy. The antenna can be used in commercial mm-wave chipless RFID tag reader due to its lower profile, cost and higher gain.