A Two-Element Circularly-Polarized Antenna Array for UHF-Band RFID Reader Applications |
Joung-Min Park1, Yun-Mi Kim1, Bierng-Chearl Ahn1, Chan-Sik Park1, Eun-Jong Cha2 |
1School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chungbuk University 2School of Medicine, Chungbuk University |
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Abstract |
In this paper, we present a two-element circularly-polarized antenna array for UHF-band RFID reader applications. The antenna element in the array is a comer-truncated rectangular patch placed on a thick plastic-foam dielectric. The patch is fed on one of its edges by a microstrip line printed on a separate thin substrate. The array antenna is fed by a microstrip power divider. Parametric studies on the patch are carried out, from which an optimum design of a single antenna element is derived. The element spacing and the feed network of the array are investigated. A commercial electromagnetic software is employed in the analysis and design of the antenna. The designed array is fabricated and tested. Measurements show good performance characteristics of the fabricated antenna: a 11.2-dBi gain, a reflection coefficient of - 14 dB, an axial ratio less than 3 dB over 3-dB beamwidths of 40 and 60 degrees on two principal planes. |
Key words:
RFID Reader Antenna, Circularly-Polarized Antenna, Patch Array Antenna |
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