Received: 23 September 2018
DOI: 10.1002/mop.31736
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Experimental study
of a printed ultra-wideband
modified circular monopole
antenna
Surajit Kundu
Department of Electronics and communication Engineering, National
Institute of Technology Sikkim, Ravangla, South Sikkim, India
Correspondence
Surajit Kundu
Department of Electronics and communication Engineering, National
Institute of Technology Sikkim, Ravangla, South Sikkim, India.
Email: surajit.kundu@nitsikkim.ac.in
Abstract
A compact (35 × 30 × 0.8 mm3) co-planar waveguide
(CPW)-fed circular monopole ultra-wideband (UWB)
antenna with improved impedance band is proposed in this
article. A frequency band from 3.1 to more than 20 GHz is
achieved by bending the upper edges of co-planar ground
plane. Antenna parameters are studied by simulation and
then validated by experimental measurement. The proposed
antenna provides monopole-like radiation pattern with high
radiation efficiency of more than 80% and flat gain varia-
tion between 2 and 5 dBi. The antenna also exhibits consis-
tency in group delay variation and linearity in the transfer
function response. A good agreement is found in between
simulated and measured results of the proposed design. The
proposed antenna performance is compared with previously
reported similar antennas.
KEYWORDS
bandwidth improvement, circular disk monopole, co-planar waveguide,
ultra-wideband antenna
1 | INTRODUCTION
Ultra-wideband (UWB) radio became very popular for
short-range wireless applications and personal area network
mainly due to its ability to communicate large amount of
Microw Opt Technol Lett. 2019;1–6. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/mop
raw data with very low power profile. The allocation of huge
unlicensed spectrum of 7.5 GHz (3.1-10.6 GHz) by Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) in 2002 grew more
research interest in this domain.1 Design of transmitting and
receiving antennae for UWB radio demands to match some
special requirements such as very wide impedance band, flat
gain, high radiation efficiency, light weight, and compact
size.2–5 The antenna also needs to be nondispersive in
nature.6–8 Liang et al. proposed a printed circular disk mono-
pole (CDM) antenna of dimension 50 × 42 × 0.3 mm3 in
Reference 9, which can provide wide impedance band of 2.8
to 9.85 GHz with very poor gain response up to 6 GHz. In
another work,10 a CPW-fed CDM antenna of dimension
44 × 44 × 0.3 mm3 was proposed that provides a bandwidth
from 2.64 to more than 12 GHz. Antenna performance
depends on ground plane width, feed gap, and disk dimen-
sions. Li et al. investigated the performances of circular slot
(CS) and elliptical slot (ES) printed monopole antenna with
microstrip feed and CPW feed techniques.11 The dimensions
of microstrip fed ES and CS antenna were 42 × 42
and 50 × 43 mm2, respectively, whereas the dimensions
of CPW fed ES and CS antenna were 40 × 38 and
44 × 44 mm2, respectively. The ES antennas for either types
of feeding were capable to work on 3.1 to 10.6 GHz unli-
censed UWB band, whereas the CS antennas were found to
compromise in the lower band-edge frequency. All the
antennas had a nonflat gain variation between 1 and 7 dBi
over frequency band. Poor gain variation and comparatively
larger size restrict the uses of such antenna for UWB appli-
cation. A microstrip fed CDM of size 50 × 50 × 1.6 mm3
that has wide bandwidth from 1.5 to 15 GHz was reported in
Reference 12. Poor radiation of antenna at higher frequen-
cies restricts its functional bandwidth. The concept of includ-
ing transition in the feed line to broaden the antenna
impedance bandwidth was proposed in Reference 13. A
bandwidth improvement of 3.18 to 11.74 GHz and 3.47 to
31.94 GHz was reported by adding single and dual transi-
tions in the feed line, respectively. A printed CDM of dimen-
sion 60 × 56 × 1.6 mm3 with corner-shaped ground plane
was proposed in Reference 14. The antenna provides an
impedance band from 1.3 to 12 GHz but poor radiation at
high frequencies (≥7 GHz) limited its operational band-
width. Siddiqui et al. proposed a CDM antenna of dimension
50 × 50 × 1.575 mm3 that can provide frequency band
from 2.6 to 10.8 GHz with frequency notch bands by adding
split ring resonators.15,16
© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 1
2 KUNDU

FIGURE 1 Various design variations and geometry of proposed antenna [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]

A compact CPW-fed CDM antenna of dimension

35 × 30 × 0.8 mm3 is proposed in this article. The antenna
parameters were studied by both simulation and experimen-
tal measurements. The antenna performance is compared
with previously reported UWB circular monopole antennas.
The proposed antenna can be used for short-range
wireless communication, wireless personal area network,
and ground-penetrating radar applications.17

2 | ANTENNA DESIGN

A compact CDM antenna is developed using the design

parameters that were calculated from the wavelength (λL)
FIGURE 2 Fabricated antenna prototype [Color figure can be
corresponding to lower band-edge frequency of UWB that is
viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
3.1 GHz. At the very beginning, a rectangular ground plane
is taken at the bottom of substrate as shown in design A of
planar ground plane (Lg). The optimal value of feed gap can
Figure 1. Co-planar ground plane is considered in design B
be calculated from Equation 3.
where other design parameters remain unchanged. Bending is


introduced in the upper sharp edges of co-planar ground plane 0:01λL ≤ La −Lg ≤ 0:02λL ð3Þ
in design C as shown in Figure 1. The antenna design parame-
Dimension of dielectric substrate (L, W, and h): Length (L),
ters can be determined using Equations 1 to 6 as given below.
width (W), and thickness (h) of the dielectric substrate FR-4
Dimension of the monopole (d), feed (La) and feed gap:
epoxy can be chosen using Equations 4 to 6, respectively
Length of circular patch (d) is twice of its radius (R) that can
be calculated using Equation 1
λL λL
≤d≤ ð1Þ
8 4
The effective length of the radiator can be obtained by
adding the length of circular patch (d) to the length of feed
(La). The length of feed can be determined using Equation 2.
λL
ðd + La Þ ≈ ð2Þ
3
Feed gap can be obtained by taking the difference
between the feed length (La) and maximum length of co-

TABLE 1 Optimal dimensions of proposed antenna (design c)

Parameters Value (mm) Parameters Value (mm)

d 15 g 1.6
L 35 W 30
La 17.54 Lg 15.9
FIGURE 3 Reflection coefficient (S11) plot of all antenna design
h 0.8 Wg 13.4
variations [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
KUNDU 3

FIGURE 4 Simulated surface current at (A) 3.8, (B) 7.11, (C) 9, (D) 11.5, (E) 14, (F) 16, (G) 18, and (H) 20 GHz [Color figure can be
viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]

FIGURE 5 E-plane and H-plane co-pol radiation pattern of proposed antenna at (A) 3.8 (B) 7.11, (C) 9 and 11.5 GHz
4 KUNDU

FIGURE 8 Transfer function and group delay measurement

set-up

FIGURE 6 Comparison between simulated and measured gain

over frequency

λL λL
≤L≤ ð4Þ
4 2
W = 2d ð5Þ

h ≈0:01λL ð6Þ
Optimal dimension of the antenna design parameters for
design C is given in Table 1. The proposed antenna is fabri-
cated on FR 4 epoxy substrate that has thickness of 0.8 mm,
relative permittivity of 4.4, and loss tangent of 0.02. The
antenna feed line is connected to a 50 Ω SMA connector as FIGURE 9 Magnitude and phase response of antenna transfer
shown in Figure 2. function plot

3 | RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The antenna design is simulated using CST microwave studio
suite simulator.18 Antenna bandwidth can be measured from
its S11 profile. Antenna reflection coefficient (S11) is plotted
for all three design variations as can be shown in Figure 3.
Design A provides a bandwidth of 2.9 to 5 GHz. Enhanced
bandwidth of 12.5 GHz (3.1-15.6 GHz) is achieved by

FIGURE 10 Comparison between simulated and measured

FIGURE 7 Simulated and measured radiation efficiency plot group delay
KUNDU 5

TABLE 2 Comparison of proposed antenna with other CDMS available in the literature

Year/[Ref.] Size (mm3) Band (GHz) Gain (dBi) Rad. Eff. Transfer fn. Group delay Remark
2005/9
50 × 42 × 0.3 2.8 to 9.85 −7 to 7 Not given Not given Not given Bulky Poor gain
2005/10 44 × 44 × 0.3 2.64 to >12 1 to 7 Not given Not given Not given Large size
2006/11 50 × 43 3.4 to 10.9 2 to 7 Not given Not given Not given Bulky
2007/20 35 × 30 × 1.5 3 to 8 Not given Not given Not given Not given Limited band
2008/21 40 × 30 × 0.8 3.1 to 10.6 −4 to 8 Not given Not given Not given Poor gain
2009/12 50 × 50 × 1.6 1.5 to >15 0.8 to 5.5 Not given Not given Not given Bulky
2011/13 35 × 30 × 0.83 3.5 to 31.9 0 to 6 dBi Not given Not given  0.4 ns Poor gain in low frequency
14
2012/ 60 × 56 × 1.6 1.3 to 12 4 to 9 Not given Not given Not given Bulky size
2013/22 42 × 38 × 1.52 3 to 6 2.1 (maximum) Maximum 80% Not given Not given Small band,
Low gain
2014/15 50 × 50 × 1.575 2.6 to 10.8 0 to 4 in PBa Not given Not given Not given Bulky
Low gain
2015/16 50 × 50 × 1.575 2.2 to 11 0 to 4 in PBa Not given Not given Not given Bulky size
Low gain
Proposed antenna 35 × 30 × 0.8 3.1 to >20 2 to 5 >80% Linear in 3-11 GHz Flat in 3-11 GHz High efficient
flat gain low dispersion

CDM: circular disk monopole.

a
PB represents pass band of antenna.

considering co-planar ground plane in design B. As per the
simulation and measurement results of design C, the fre-
quency band is further increased from 3.1 to more than
20 GHz by introducing bends at the upper sharp edges of co-
planar ground plane. The bending at ground plane can realize
multiresonances to achieve higher frequency band. Bandwidth
of the antenna depends on how impedance of various modes
is matched with the coplanar feed line.
The simulated surface current at 3.8, 7.11, 9, 11.5,
14, 16, 18, and 20 GHz is shown in Figure 4. Symmetric
current flow along y-axis can be seen. High current concen-
tration is observed along the peripherals of circular patch,
feed line and upper edges of ground plane. Also one half-
cycle current variation along peripheral can be seen at
3.8 GHz that indicates the fundamental mode. At 7.11 GHz,
the current distribution has more half-cycle variations but
with reduced amplitude. Increase in half cycle variations can
be seen in the upper frequencies that signify the improve-
ment in antenna impedance band by adding additional reso-
nance modes.
Simulated and measured co polarized antenna radiation
patterns for E-plane and H-plane at 3.8 and 7.11 GHz are
shown in Figure 5. Omnidirectional radiation pattern in the
H-plane and monopole-like directive pattern in the E-plane
can be observed. Minor variation between simulated and
measured plots can be seen due to fabrication error and sur-
rounding cable losses during measurement. Simulated radia-
tion patterns at 9 and 11 GHz are shown in Figure 5C. The
pattern degrades from its usual shape at high frequency of
operation. One possible reason could be the selection of FR4
epoxy as substrate material that is highly lossy.
Antenna gain response over frequency as per the simula-
tion and measurement is shown in Figure 6. A gain variation
of not more than 2 dB is considered as flat. Flat gain
variation is a crucial measure as it ensures stability in
antenna magnitude response. The gain values are measured
following the gain transfer method. As shown in Figure 6, a
gain variation between 1.5 and 4.5 dBi as per the simulation
and a variation between 2 and 5 dBi by measurement can be
observed. The variation can be considered as almost flat over
the band of operation.
Simulated and measured antenna radiation efficiency is
plotted in Figure 7. The efficiency measurement was con-
ducted following the modified wheeler cap method as stated
in Reference 19. An efficiency of more than 80% can be
seen as per the measurement. A variation of almost 10% can
be observed between the simulated and measured results.
This variation is mainly due the assumption of wheeler cap
method.
Antenna transfer function and group delay measurement
was carried as per the set-up shown in Figure 8. Two similar
antenna prototypes were kept face to face at a distance of
25 cm that is much more than minimum required far field
distance. Both antennas were connected in two different
ports of VNA where one antenna was considered as trans-
mitting and other one as receiving antenna. S21 magnitude
and phase response plot can be seen in Figure 9. Almost
constant magnitude response and linear phase response can
be observed up to 10 GHz frequency. Small nonlinearity in
phase response and nonconsistency in magnitude response
are observed for higher frequencies (>10 GHz).
Group delay is defined as rate of change of transmission
phase angle with frequency. Group delay variation from S21
is measured for impulse radar, wall through imaging and
medical imaging applications. The simulated and measured
group delay variations are plotted in Figure 10. A group
delay variation of not more than 2 ns can be observed in the
6 KUNDU
figure. This consistent and almost flat group delay variations
indicate nondispersive nature of the proposed CDM antenna.
4 | CONCLUSION
A compact co-planar-fed UWB CDM antenna of dimension
35 × 30 × 0.8 mm3 is proposed. Compared to earlier
reported circular disk-printed antenna, the proposed antenna
provides an improved bandwidth that is from 3.1 to more
than 20 GHz, covering unlicensed UWB. The antenna also
provides monopole-like radiation pattern, flat gain, more
than 80% radiation efficiency and minimal dispersion in the
operational band. The simulated and measured results ensure
the capability of proposed antenna for various UWB applica-
tions. A brief comparison of this modified CDM with earlier
reported printed UWB CDMs are given in Table 2.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author is thankful to National Institute of Technology
Sikkim for providing all necessary supports.
O R C ID
Surajit Kundu https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3575-717X
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How to cite this article: Kundu S. Experimental
study of a printed ultra-wideband modified circular
monopole antenna. Microw Opt Technol Lett. 2019;
1–6. https://doi.org/10.1002/mop.31736