Minkowski and Hilbert curves based hybrid fractal antenna for wireless applications

Abstract

In this paper two types of fractal antennas are designed, one by superimposing Hilbert curve on Minkowski curve known as Hilbert Minkowski Antenna (HMA) and other by superimposing Minkowski curve on Hilbert curve known as Minkowski Hilbert Antenna (MHA). Both antennas are compared in terms of performance parameters like gain, S11(dB), radiation pattern, current distribution and VSWR at all resonant frequencies. Both antennas are designed using HFSS software. FR4 material is used as a substrate material. Prototype of both antennas are designed, fabricated and tested at Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). It is found that Hilbert Minkowski Antenna has better performance in terms of Gain while Minkowski Hilbert Antenna is better in terms of number of frequency bands. A comparison between the characteristics of individual Hilbert and Minkowski curve based antennas is done with the characteristics of hybridized (MHA and HMA) antennas. It comes out that MHA and HMA have more number of frequency bands than individual Hilbert and Minkowski curve based antennas. A comparison has also been done between simulated and measured results of both antennas. Simulated and measured results for both the antennas are in agreement with each other.