Session: 16-01-01: Government Agency Student Poster Competition

Paper Number: 150023

150023 - Unlocking Potential: Additively Manufactured Metasurface-Driven Performance Enhancement in Dual-Band 5g Antenna 

The rapid advancement of 5G technology demands innovative solutions to meet the ever-growing need for higher data rates, broader bandwidths, and enhanced connectivity. This research focuses on the development and performance analysis of an additively manufactured (AM) miniaturized dual-band metasurface (MTS) antenna designed for 5G applications and beyond. The primary motivation behind this work is to address the challenges of achieving efficient, compact, and high-performance antennas suitable for modern communication systems.

This study introduces an MTS-enhanced antenna, meticulously fast-prototyped using advanced 3D printing techniques. The dielectric layer of the antenna is formed using ultraviolet (UV) curable acrylate ink, which possesses a dielectric constant of 2.8 and a loss tangent of 0.012. The conductive layers are created using nanoparticle ink with a high conductivity of 2×10⁷ Sm^-1. The resulting antenna exhibits a compact overall dimension of 40 mm x 34 mm x 2.0375 mm, constrained by the 3 mm z-direction printing limitation, and operates efficiently at the resonance frequencies of 22.978 GHz and 26.39 GHz.

The methodology employed in this research encompasses a combination of experimental, analytical, and computational techniques. The MTS antenna is fabricated using a state-of-the-art 3D printing process, ensuring precise layering and alignment of the dielectric and conductive materials. The performance of the antenna is evaluated through simulations using CST Microwave Studio Suite Software, focusing on key parameters such as reflection coefficient (S₁₁), radiation pattern, directivity, gain, voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), axial ratio, and surface current distribution.

Preliminary results reveal significant enhancements in the antenna's performance due to the integration of the MTS. The reflection coefficient (S₁₁) improves markedly, indicating efficient impedance matching and minimal signal loss. The antenna's radiation efficiency approaches impressively more than 75%, attributed to the effective manipulation of electromagnetic waves by the metasurface. The directivity and gain are optimized, with the antenna exhibiting directivity values of 6.94 dBi at 26.6 GHz and 7.229 dBi at 26.39 GHz with the MTS antenna. The gain similarly shows improvement, reaching 6 dBi at 26.39 GHz with the MTS antenna. Integration of MTS enhances the VSWR, resulting in values of 1.23 at 22.978 GHz and 1.46 at 26.39 GHz, close to the ideal VSWR value of 1. A VSWR below 2 signifies effective impedance matching between the transmission line and the antenna.

The MTS antenna also facilitates the attainment of circular polarization, a critical feature for modern communication systems requiring robust and adaptable signal transmission. The designed MTS antenna exhibits circular polarization at 26.39 GHz, with axial ratio value of 1.529 dB. As we know, if the axial ratio is close to 1 (0 dB) or within 3 dB, the antenna is considered to have circular polarization. The surface current distribution analysis underscores the enhanced performance, with maximum current resonance observed in the MTS unit cells, contributing to the overall improvement in directivity and gain.

To conclude, the integration of the metasurface significantly elevates the performance of the dual-band 5G antenna. The results demonstrate not only the feasibility but also the practical benefits of employing 3D printing technology and advanced materials in antenna design. This work paves the way for further exploration and development of metasurface-based antennas, holding promise for applications in reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) and other advanced communication technologies. The next phase of research will focus on optimizing the performance and empirical validation of the proposed design, setting the stage for future advancements in the field of 5G and beyond.

Presenting Author: Md Ashif Islam Oni North Dakota State University

Presenting Author Biography: Md Ashif Islam Oni (Graduate Student Member, IEEE) has completed both B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from American International University - Bangladesh (AIUB), Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February 2014 and February 2015, respectively. He completed Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree from France and Spain in December 2018. He is a doctoral student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.

He worked as a Lecturer and Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, AIUB, from September 2019 to December 2021. He had the opportunity to conduct research at Nokia Bell Labs, France, as a research intern in 2018, which was part of the Erasmus Mundus master’s degree. Before getting the Erasmus Mundus scholarship from the European Commission, he worked as a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at World University of Bangladesh (WUB) from August 2015 to August 2016. His research interests include Metamaterials and Metasurfaces for 5G and beyond, Internet of Things, Phased Array Antenna, Satellite Communications, RFID, Next-Generation Fiber Optic Communication, and Nano-photonics.

Mr. Oni has received the prestigious Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal) for his academic excellence in both B.Sc. and M.Sc. He was one of the two students who had been nominated for the Chancellor’s award from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering for their excellence in master’s thesis research and outstanding academic result in the 15th convocation ceremony of AIUB.

Authors:

Md Ashif Islam Oni North Dakota State University
Shuvashis Dey North Dakota State University