Compact U-slot microstrip antenna for Wi-Fi 5/6: enhancing gain, bandwidth, and efficiency

This work develops a compact microstrip patch antenna (MPA) for Wi-Fi 5/6 WLAN applications operating at 5.5 GHz. It emphasizes enhancing impedance matching, bandwidth, and radiation properties while maintaining a low-profile design. The antenna incorporates a slot-modified radiating patch and a U-shaped defective ground structure (DGS) to enhance performance. We employed CST Microwave Studio for full-wave simulations and utilized an RLC circuit model in ADS to verify the antenna’s resonant characteristics. The results indicated a reflection coefficient of − 54.3 dB at 5.5 GHz and an impedance bandwidth of 126 MHz. The antenna had a maximum realized gain of 6.48 dBi, a directivity of 7.02 dBi, and an overall efficiency of 88.4%. In comparison to alternative designs, this one exhibited superior return loss, gain, efficiency, and radiation pattern. This study presents a high-performance antenna solution that addresses common limitations of conventional MPAs, showcasing a small and efficient design suitable for Wi-Fi 5/6 applications and enhancing the development of advanced WLAN systems with superior communication capabilities.