Sub-terahertz compact high-efficiency elliptic cross-shaped radiating patch antenna design for short-range wireless communication systems

Abstract

Background. Sub-terahertz communication systems demand compact, wideband, and highly efficient antennas to support high-data-rate transmission and sensing applications. Achieving such performance within a limited footprint remains a significant design challenge. Aim. This work aims to design a compact sub-THz antenna with wide impedance bandwidth, high radiation efficiency, and stable radiation characteristics suitable for short-range communication and sensing applications. Methods. An elliptical cross-shaped radiating patch is designed on a Rogers RO4835-T substrate and excited using a microstrip-line feed. A partial ground plane is employed to enhance impedance bandwidth. Additionally, two tapered strips are incorporated near the upper edges of the patch to further improve antenna performance. Results. The designed antenna reaches an impedance bandwidth of approximately 0.179THz, covering the frequency range from 0.092THz to 0.271THz with S11–10dB, corresponding to a wide bandwidth of about 98.55%. The antenna demonstrates high radiation efficiency of nearly 95% across the operating band. It exhibits an omnidirectional radiation pattern and maintains a compact size of 1000 × 1000 × 64μm³ (0.307λ×0.307λ×0.019λ,λ being the wavelength at the lowest frequency). Conclusion. The proposed antenna offers an effective solution for sub-THz applications due to its compact size, wide bandwidth, and high efficiency, making it suitable for short-range communication and sensing systems.