Integration of Microstrip Slot Array Antenna with Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

This paper describes the integration of microstrip slot array antennas with dye-sensitized solar cells that can power array antennas at 5.8 GHz, ensuring normal communications. To appraise the antennas, a 2 × 2 circularly polarized microstrip slot array antenna integrated with dye-sensitized solar cells using a stacked design method was analyzed, fabricated and measured. The size of the entire array is 140 mm × 140 mm, where the size of each solar cell is 35 mm × 35 mm. The results show that the effect of the antenna has a slight influence on the output performance of the solar cells, and the interference of the output current of the solar cells to the antenna feeding system is negligible. The gain of the array antenna increases by 0.12 dB and the axial ratio is reduced to 1.50 dB after the integration of dye-sensitized solar cells. The integration saves a lot of space, and has the ability of self-sustaining power generation, thus providing reliable and long-term communication for various communication systems.

An Efficient Conformal Stacked Antenna Array Design and 3D-Beamforming for UAV and Space Vehicle Communications

“…conformal antenna array structures have been proposed in the literature , where most of them are fabricated in the form of microstrip patch antennas printed on a conical surface [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] or slotted cylindrical and conical structures [15][16]. For example, in [17], a conical array was designed for radar applications using genetic algorithm to reduce sidelobe levels.…”

“…In addition, the very long distance spanned by space vehicles, such as those travelling to Mars, requires high gain and efficient adaptive conformal antennas to ensure high quality of the communication link. Several conformal antenna array structures have been proposed in the literature [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], where most of them are fabricated in the form of microstrip patch antennas printed on a conical surface [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] or slotted cylindrical and conical structures [ 15 , 16 ]. For example, in [ 17 ], a conical array was designed for radar applications using genetic algorithm to reduce sidelobe levels.…”

Antennas and Propagation: A Sensor Approach

“…An integration of a microstrip slot antenna array for 5.8 GHz with dye-sensitized solar cells is proposed in [ 12 ]. It is shown that the antenna array has a slight influence on the solar cell performance, and the interference of the solar cells with the antenna feeding system is also negligible.…”

Ultra-Low Profile Solar-Cell-Integrated Antenna With a High Form Factor

“…A solar cell has been integrated with a dipole antenna for energy harvesting and wireless communications 16 , whereas a solar-cell-integrated antenna has been proposed for 2.4 GHz applications with a low pro le structure 17 . Different antenna arrays have been integrated with a solar cell [18][19][20][21][22] . Amorphous silicon solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells have been integrated with a microstrip slot antenna array 18,19 , whereas an antenna array has been integrated with multi-crystalline solar cells for low-power sensor applications 20 .…”

“…Different antenna arrays have been integrated with a solar cell [18][19][20][21][22] . Amorphous silicon solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells have been integrated with a microstrip slot antenna array 18,19 , whereas an antenna array has been integrated with multi-crystalline solar cells for low-power sensor applications 20 . In 21 , the authors used an inverted-F antenna in an array, integrated vertically at the top of the solar cell.…”