Proposed Prototype of a Microstrip Fractal Dual Band Antenna for Mobile Communications.

The role of the antenna in wireless communication systems is to convert electromagnetic energy at radio frequency (RF) into electrical energy in the form of alternating current or vice versa. Antennas are different in design, appearance and specifications depending on how they will be used; gains, input impedance and radiation/sensitivity patterns may vary based on various parameters including operating frequencies. On the other hand, IEEE802.11 is the protocol established by the Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) to control and regulate wireless communications in computer local area networks (WLANs). In this protocol antennas are configured to work on a number of operating frequencies, such as 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 60 GHz and so on. IEEE 802.11 specifies the channels that can be used for WLANs, while the actual freedom to use the permitted RF spectra depends on the corresponding regulatory domains. This article presents a new functional prototype of WLAN microstrip fractal dual band antenna in accordance with IEEE802.11 standards. The suggested antenna features dual bands with two center frequencies located at 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz. The antenna is fabricated according to Minkowski pattern by using photoetching. In this research work, the characteristics of the antenna including its radiation/sensitivity pattern, scattering parameters, voltage standing wave ration (VSWR), input impedance, polarization, gain, bandwidth, and polarization are investigated, and hence the simulation and measurement results are acquired, examined, and contrasted with industry standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]