A Reconfigurable Inkjet-Printed Antenna on Paper Substrate for Wireless Applications

An inkjet-printed reconfigurable multiband antenna printed on a low-cost commercial photo paper substrate using two p-i-n diodes is proposed for the first time. A main radiator is designed to operate at 3.4 GHz band, whereas L-shaped and U-shaped radiating elements are designed to operate at 1.9 and 2.4 GHz, respectively. The antenna has a size of 30 × 40 × 0.44 mm
³
and can cover most of the mobile and wireless bands between 1.5 and 4 GHz. A prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and measured. Measured and simulated results of S11, radiation pattern, gain, and efficiency are in good agreement. Measured results show that the antenna has a gain and efficiency of 2 dBi and 50%, respectively. A parametric study is proposed as a guidance to design the antenna for operating in other bands between 1.5 and 4 GHz.