Performance Evaluation of a Low-Cost Semitransparent 3D-Printed Mesh Patch Antenna for Urban Communication Applications

Abstract

This study explores the possibility of designing simple semitransparent antennas that allow for the passage of most visible light while maintaining good electromagnetic performance. We propose a substrateless metal mesh patch antenna manufactured using low-cost 3D printing and silver conductive paint. Our goal is to integrate numerous such radiators onto office building windows, preserving natural lighting with minimal visual impact, aiming to alleviate infrastructure congestion or improve antenna placement in sub-6 GHz frequency bands. In this paper, we conduct an analysis of the primary parameters influencing patches constructed with substrateless metal mesh wires, focusing on the grid topology and the width of the metallic wires, as well as their effects on antenna transparency and back radiation. Owing to the absence of a substrate, the antenna demonstrates minimal losses. Furthermore, in this study, we thoroughly investigate the effects of conductivity and roughness on surfaces printed with metallic paint. A prototype at 2.6 GHz is presented, achieving over 60% transparency, a 2.7% impedance-matching bandwidth, and a realized peak gain of 5.4 dBi. The antenna is easy to manufacture and cost-effective and considers sustainability. Its large-scale implementation can alleviate building infrastructure, enhancing radio connectivity in urban environments and offering new cost-effective and energy-efficient wireless solutions.