Gain enhancement in probe-fed hexagonal ultra wideband antenna using AMC reflector

UWB antennas are limited to poor gain at higher frequencies due to the presence of higher modes, especially when fed with the probe. This paper demonstrates a method to boost the peak gain of a probe-fed hexagonal UWB antenna. Artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) based reflector is introduced to the antenna that enhances boresight gain to a wider band as well as peak gain for UWB antenna. Average gain improvement is 3.74 and 5.5 dB in peak and antenna boresight, respectively. The boresight gain improves, i.e. becomes positive for around 1 GHz wider band in the presence of AMC-based reflector. The dimension of UWB antenna is 46 x 46 mm(2), while with AMC reflector, the total dimension of the antenna becomes 100 x 100 mm(2). The proposed antenna structure can provide directional and stable radiation pattern and suits for UWB applications.