An Optically Transparent Antenna for Digital TV Reception Using Nanoweb Sub-micron Wire Mesh

We present measurement results of an optically transparent bowtie dipole antenna for watching over-the-air digital TV channels. It operates over the UHF band for digital TV, 475-800 MHz. The transparent conductive elements of the antenna are made of a silver sub-micron mesh (Nanoweb), fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, laminated together with optically clear adhesives and protection layers. The Nanoweb layer and the antenna stack have over 95% and 82% optical transparency, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest transparent antennas ever made, demonstrating reception of local free view channels.