A Single-Layer Multimode Metasurface Antenna with a CPW-Fed Aperture for UWB Communication Applications

A single-layer multimode metasurface antenna is proposed with a coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed aperture. The ultra-wideband (UWB) performance is implemented based on a three-step evolution process with the aid of characteristic mode analysis (CMA). Considering the efficient excitation with a fixed feeding structure, the metasurface modal current variation at different frequencies is analyzed and optimized, in addition to that at the resonant frequency. Correspondingly, the metasurface is firstly designed utilizing an array of 4 x 4 patches. Then, the 1 x 3 and the 1 x 1 parasitic patch arrays are located near the edge patches. Finally, every patch is split into two by a center slot along the current distribution of the required polarization. Four resonant modes of the metasurface become more desirable step by step and can be efficiently excited over the entire band. To enhance the impedance matching level, a pair of 5-stage gradient transitions are added to the CPW-fed slot. The slot mode combined with the four modes further improves the bandwidth. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed antenna exhibits a 3 dB gain bandwidth of over 74% (4.0-8.7 GHz) with a peak gain of 8.2 dBi. The overall dimensions of the prototype are 1.40 lambda(0) x 1.40 lambda(0) x 0.075 lambda(0) (lambda(0) is the free-space wavelength at 6 GHz).