Improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Bandwidth-Enhanced Electrically Small Antenna Augmented With Internal Non-Foster Elements

Abstract

Non-Foster technology facilitates the ability to surpass the Chu bandwidth limit associated with electrically small antennas (ESAs). Nonetheless, in addition to challenging stability issues, the enhanced performance can come at the cost of increased noise and resistance losses generated by the active circuit. Consequently, low total efficiency and degraded signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values can arise. Stability and SNR have dominated most reports to date; little has been discussed with regard to the underlying innovative physics of non-Foster augmented radiators. In this communication, we propose a broad bandwidth non-Foster ESA, emphasizing those aspects. By embedding a non-Foster element into the near-field resonant parasitic element of a metamaterial-inspired antenna, its electrically small size is maintained. On the other hand, a 5-times enhancement of its −10 dB fractional bandwidth (15 times its −3 dB bandwidth) is measured, significantly surpassing its passive Chu limit. Under a good matching, the measurements demonstrate that this non-Foster ESA achieves a 1.05 dBi peak gain and realizes average 5.0 dB SNR and 17 dB gain improvements over its passive counterpart.