An Array of Fibonacci Hexagon based Printed Radiators for Vehicular Communications

This article presents a concept for using a printed array of hexagonal radiators in vehicle-to-vehicle applications. The IEEE 802.11p standard designates the frequency range of 5.85 to 5.925 GHz for dedicated short-range communication specifically tailored for vehicle applications. The singular radiator has been developed from regular hexagonal structures based on the Fibonacci sequence. The suggested construction has five hexagons, each with a length scaled down by a factor of 0.625. To provide connectivity between the hexagons, a vertical slit has been introduced, followed by the addition of a horizontal slit on the acquired structure. The Wilkinson power divider is employed in the configuration of the feed network of an array in order to achieve a substantial level of isolation. Implementing antennas in CST Microwave Studio entails using a single-layer printed circuit board (PCB) composed of FR-4 laminate material with a relative permittivity of 4.40. The antenna and the array have gains of 6.96 and 10.20 dBi, respectively, and possess a bandwidth coverage that exceeds 100%. Both antennas demonstrate a minimal level of cross-polarization in the principal beam direction. Both antennas have notable radiation efficiency and acceptable aperture efficiency, respectively. Due to its minimal correction factor values, the antenna shows a reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) effect. Both antennas are suitable choices for applications in vehicles.