Design and Optimization of a 5G Conformal Microwave Absorber for the n78 Band

The rapid deployment of 5 G networks has raised issues related to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and power consumption consecutively the need to develop high-efficiency microwave absorbers. In this work, we describe a conformal microwave absorber for the $\mathbf{n 7 8 5 G}$ frequency band ($\mathbf{3. 3 - 3. 8 ~ G H z}$) with particular emphasis on 3.6 GHz, which is considered one of the most significant frequencies for 5 G applications. The designed absorber is modeled in CST Studio Software and is made of polyimide flexible substrate, which allows for the integration of the absorber into surfaces with curvature and preserves a high level of absorption efficiency. The results of the simulations demonstrate that at 3.6 GHz, the absorber exhibits over $98 \%$ absorption in addition to broadband operation at 3.4 to 3.8 GHz. A comprehensive parametric study on dimensions of the structure was conducted to analyze the performance of the proposed absorber. With these features, the absorber is ideal for 5G shielding, energy harvesting, and stealth applications, making it a low-cost and easily manufacturable option for next generation wireless networks.