Implementation of Radiating Elements for Radiofrequency Front-Ends by Screen-Printing Techniques for Internet of Things Applications.

Imanol Picallo,Hicham Klaina,Aitor Sánchez,Peio Lopez-Iturri,Francisco Falcone,Leire Méndez-Giménez

doi:10.3390/s19163626

Abstract

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to embedding wireless transceivers into a wide range of devices, in order to implement context-aware scenarios, in which a massive amount of transceivers is foreseen. In this framework, cost-effective electronic and Radio Frequency (RF) front-end integration is desirable, in order to enable straightforward inclusion of communication capabilities within objects and devices in general. In this work, flexible antenna prototypes, based on screen-printing techniques, with conductive inks on flexible low-cost plastic substrates is proposed. Different parameters such as substrate/ink characteristics are considered, as well as variations in fabrication process or substrate angular deflection in device performance. Simulation and measurement results are presented, as well as system validation results in a real test environment in wireless sensor network communications. The results show the feasibility of using screen-printing antenna elements on flexible low-cost substrates, which can be embedded in a wide array of IoT scenarios.

Highlights

The progressive adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to open new opportunities in a wide range of markets, spanning from home automation to smart health, industry 4.0 or connected vehicles, among others
The implementation of the aforementioned IoT elements requires the use and integration of multiple systems and technologies that need to consider inherent limitations in terms of size, energy consumption, processing capabilities and cost. This is leading to constant research efforts in order to provide feasible large scale IoT scenarios, considering aspects such as interference coordination, efficient bandwidth allocation and interoperability by means of cognitive radio mechanisms [3], distributed confidence based on the application of technologies such as Blockchain [4], optimization of information searching techniques for specific IoT applications [5] or the implementation of purpose specific IoT
Transceivers embedded in IoT applications can make use of different communication protocols, combining wide coverage technologies such as public land mobile networks (2G to 4G systems, including machine to machine communications based on NB-IoT or M-Cat), local area networks, body area networks or wireless sensor networks

Summary

Introduction

The progressive adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to open new opportunities in a wide range of markets, spanning from home automation to smart health, industry 4.0 or connected vehicles, among others. Transceivers embedded in IoT applications can make use of different communication protocols, combining wide coverage technologies such as public land mobile networks (2G to 4G systems, including machine to machine communications based on NB-IoT or M-Cat), local area networks (such as WiFi-802.11 protocols), body area networks (such as Bluetooth/Bluetooth low energy or near field communications) or wireless sensor networks (such as ZigBee, LoRa, eNOcean or IQRF, among others) In this sense, wireless transceiver and radio frequency (RF) front-end design face limitations of cost, size and adaptive capabilities. In this work, radiating elements will be designed, implemented and tested, based on screen-printing of conductive inks on low cost flexible substrates.

Flexible Antenna Prototype Results

Wireless System Validation

Findings

Discussion

Conclusions