Electrical Engineering Project: UWB Antenna Design and Implementation

This report details a project focused on designing an antenna for an Ultra Wideband (UWB) system. The project involved understanding the requirements of UWB antennas, analyzing antenna characteristics, and designing an L-looped antenna. The student's responsibilities included defining antenna characteristics, studying various antenna types, identifying limitations in traditional design approaches, and formulating a plan for antenna prototype implementation. The project aimed to determine the requirements of UWB antennas, evaluate antenna gain and bandwidth, and implement an L-looped antenna. The student applied engineering knowledge to calculate EIRP, analyze phase responses, and measure group delay. Challenges arose in meeting the small geometric dimension requirements for antenna efficiency, which were addressed by reducing the antenna size. The student designed an L-looped antenna, conducted simulations using the Method of Moments (MoM), and successfully achieved a 2 GHz impedance bandwidth. The project highlights the development of a low-cost, small-sized, high-performing antenna for UWB systems.

Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)
Career Episode 2

CE 2.1: Project Introduction
Name of the Project : Developing the design of antenna for an Ultra wideband
system
Geographical Location :[Please Fill]
Project Duration : [Please Fill]
Organization : [Please Fill]
Position in the Project : Team Member
CE 2.2: Project Background
CE 2.2.1: Characteristics of the Project
Narrow pulses are used for transmitting data in the UWB (Ultra Wide band) system
covering the frequency range between 10.6 GHz to minimum of 3.1 GHz. I have observed that
UWB system eliminated the need of carrier frequency and replace it with electromagnetic energy
with times pulses. This has allowed in the development of various simple portable receiver and
transmitter hardware. The antennas used in the UWB system are the major components used for
transmission of the signals. Due to the narrow pulses with 1 ns order the bandwidth of the signals
exceeds 1 GHz. I have found that the fabrication and design of the antenna with high
performance capabilities poses various issues and hardship due to the big fractional bandwidth.
Therefore, I took this project for understanding the requirement of UWB antenna and analyzing
the parameters for development.
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CE 2.2.2: Objectives developed for project
I have learned that there exists mainly two types of antenna namely Omni-directional and
directional that can be implemented in the wideband system. The interface, channel model and
design create difficulties during implementation in the UWB system. Therefore, in this project I
have aimed at identifying the appropriate requirement of UWB antenna and analyze the
functionalities based on various factors. I have formulated the following objectives for ensuring
the completion of all the elements and modules:
 To determine the requirement of the UWB antennas;
 To evaluate the antenna gain for the UWB antenna;
 To evaluate and formulate the antenna gain and bandwidth size of the proposed
antenna;
 To design and implemented the L-looped UBS antenna for transmission;
CE 2.2.3: My area of work
In this project, I had the vital work of defining the characteristics and guidance that were
necessary for developing an antenna for UWB. I have studied various antennas based on the
types and direction of the antenna. I have identified the limitations and issues existing in the
traditional approach of antenna design. I have determined and identified the techniques and
formulas that needed to be followed for developing an appropriate design of the antenna for the
UWB system. I have further developed detailed plan for conducting the study and implementing
the antenna prototype.
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CE 2.2.4: Project Group
Figure 1: Team Member Associated with the Project
CE 2.2.5: My responsibilities throughout the project
I took the responsibility of designing the antenna and printing the design using metal
layer. Further, I have ensured the accurate characteristic of the antenna based on the identified
value during the study. I have analyzed the developed antenna based on the gain and VSWR
obtained. In addition to that I took the responsibility of gathering all the relevant information
from the different team members and prepare the project report for submission.
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CE 2.3: Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1: Comprehending the Theory of the project
During my work in this project, I have observed that the main issue involved with the
design and implementation of the UWB antenna lies within the interference and channel model
development. In order to transmit and receive signals, the UWB antennas required to cover the
wideband frequency with the minimum level of 3.1 GHz to maximum level of 10.6 MHz. This
frequency enables operations and transmission of handheld and indoor applications having
smaller size while providing high efficiency. Apart from that, I have observed that frequency and
time domain needs to include non-dispersive characteristic for ensuring duration with narrow
pulse and enhancing the throughput of the data. The bandwidth, impedance matching, directivity
and radiation pattern are the main characteristics of the antennas. Apart from that, I have
observed that the antennas for the UWB need to be characterized with group delays, efficiency,
gain and regulatory issues.
CE 2.3.2: Engineering Knowledge and Skills applied in the project
I have used link budget for determining the required gain while considering the channel
quality of the antenna. I have observed that omni-directional antenna provides low gain when
operated in wide field. Considering the regulatory limit I have decreased the transmit power. I
have utilized the definitions mentioned in EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) for
maintaining the regulatory limits. For calculating the EIRP of the antenna, I have used the
following formula:
EIRP ( f ) = PTX ( f ) GTX ( f )
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Where I have used PTX ( f ) for defining the transmitting power of antenna and GTX ( f ) as
the transmitting gain of the antenna. Furthermore, I have used phase responses and magnitude for
analyzing the UWB antenna. I have used the antenna as the filter for obtaining identifying the
phase distortion and amplitude of the signal. For evaluating the time required for a signal through
the devices, I have identified the measure of group delay. In order to evaluate the group delay
within the antenna, I have utilized the following formula:
Group Delay = - d ϴ (ω) / d (ω)
In the above equation, I have used d ϴ (ω) for determining the transition time for the
symbol.
CE 2.3.3: Accomplishment and Task Performed
I have determined the various characterization of the antenna that operated within the
ultra wide band system. I was successful in obtaining the detailed information regarding the
antenna gain, group delay and bandwidth size. After identification of the values I have proceed
with the design of the l looped antenna.
CE 2.3.4: Identified Issues and Their Solutions
Issues: I have observed that for developing wireless antenna, small geometric dimensions
are required for ensuring the efficiency. I have learned that an antenna can be characterized as
small if the operating wavelengths get fitted within λ /2 π radian sphere. The initial antenna that I
have developed had the dimension of 28 x 28 x 2 mm. Issue arose when the antenna failed to
fulfill the detailed characteristics of small wireless antenna.
Solution: In order to resolve the issue, I have worked for reducing the dimension of the
antenna. Before diminishing the antenna size, I have reviewed various books and gathered
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information from the online sources. I have learned for the omni-dimensional antenna, the
physical size can be kept larger due to the coupling of electromagnetic waves. Therefore, I have
proposed the dimension of the antenna as 25 x 24 x 1 mm of size. The revised antenna size was
able to provide operative wavelength within the specified range of λ /2 π radian sphere.
CE 2.3.5: Plan for producing creative and innovative work
I have designed and integrated an l-looped antenna in this project for providing
innovative and creative work. After developing the appropriate design based on the information
gained during the project, I have conducted detailed simulation for determining the accuracy of
the antenna. I have applied my knowledge of MoM (Method of Moments) for the simulation. I
have developed the antenna with one wavelength of square loop in the outer limit for gaining
linearly polarized radiation. I have developed the 3.1 GHz antenna with wavelength of 96.77
mm. For implementing the antenna, I have printed the metallic layer having 4.4 dielectric
constant, FR4 substrate, 1mm of thickness and 0.2 loss tangents. For the metallic layer, I have
used 0.018 mm of copper and developed the antenna with proposed size of 25 x 24 x 1 mm. In
order to match the impedance, I have utilized taper transmission line while modifying the loop in
an “L” shape. Through this, I was able to obtain gradual transition and discontinuities within the
antenna between the free space and metal surface.
CE 2.3.6: Collaborative work
I have discussed the work plan and process that I have followed for identification of the
antenna characteristic required for UWB. Apart from that, I have promoted team communication
and team work by working along with the team members for the design of the antenna. In
addition to that, I have used regular meetings for discussing about the issues and difficulties
faced during the project.
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CE 2.4: Project Review
CE 2.4.1: Project Overview
Through this project, I was able to evaluate and determine the vital aspect of the antenna
design for UWB. From the project, I have identified that UWB antenna required linear face and
flat amplitude for obtaining the desired bandwidth. The study that I have conducted in this
project was able to provide with the relevant and detailed information that were essential for
success of the project.
CE 2.4.2: My contribution to work
I have demonstrated the requirements and implemented an L looped antenna. Through
the antenna design, I was able to achieve 2 GHz of impedance bandwidth with the rectangular
printed loop. Therefore through this project, I was able to propose an easy, low cost and small
size of lower band high performing antenna for Ultra wide band system.
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