Low-profile wideband slotted microstrip patch antenna array based on higher-order mode for Wi-Fi 6/6E application

Abstract This paper puts forward a novel miniaturized, low-profile, and wideband slotted microstrip patch array with the capability of covering Wi-Fi 6/6E (ranging from 5.15 to 5.83 GHz and from 5.925 to 7.125 GHz). Through etching periodic slots on the traditional patch antenna to modify the boundary conditions, both the TM 10 fundamental mode and anti-phase TM 20 mode of the patch can be simultaneously excited within the wide frequency band. Then, a 2×2 patch array is designed. The antenna’s bandwidth is further enhanced by the coupling mode between the patch array and the feed network. With a profile of 0.06λ 0 (where λ 0 is the open space wavelength at the center frequency), the antenna array has a -10 dB impedance bandwidth of 34.1% (between 5.1 and 7.2 GHz). The research findings demonstrate substantial application potential in various Wi-Fi-enabled devices.