Wide-Band Low-Profile Quadripod Kettle Antenna for Automotive 5G Mobile Communications

Abstract:
The demand for antennas in cars is expected to increase due to the rise of cooperative, connected, and automated driving in intelligent transportation system as well as advancements in mobile communications 5G and beyond. Low-profile and compact wide-band antenna designs are highly desirable for connected cars that cover multiple 5G new radio frequency bands. As a result, there is a growing demand for antennas seamlessly integrated into the car body, e.g. embedded into plastic parts. This paper presents a 3D structure of a wide-band quadripod kettle antenna designed for operation at S-band frequencies around 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz, specifically targeting the 5G new-radio bands n41 and n78, respectively. The compact antenna structure is designed for integration into, e.g., the rear spoiler, roof-top shark-fin antenna, or other plas-tic-covered antenna mounting locations of passenger cars. The embedded antenna reveals an omnidirectional radiation pattern across the two bands, with a maximum measured realized gain of 3.3 dBi and 4.2 dBi, and nearly 2.9 GHz of −6 dB impedance bandwidth, making it suitable for a range of automotive mobility and internet-of-things applications.