PIFA bandwidth optimization using genetic algorithm and capacitive feeding

Genetic Algorithm was used to optimize the ground plane shape of planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) on FR-4 substrate designed for broadband applications. The initial PIFA antenna design had 36% bandwidth and its central frequency was 2 GHz. Novel optimized antennas were presented. A relative bandwidth about 88 % was obtained with the optimized antenna. With this procedure the total bandwidth increased more than 2.5 times relatively the total bandwidth of the not optimized antenna. However, the dimensions and the cost did not increase. This procedure can be very important for the design and optimization of different types of planar antennas to be used in many wireless systems, such as WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth, etc.