Compact and High-Gain UHF/UWB RFID Reader Antenna

A linearly polarized, dual-port, and dual-band radio frequency identification reader antenna is designed to simultaneously operate at ultrahigh frequency (UHF) and ultra-wideband bands for positioning systems. A hybrid design using patch and slot structures within a shared radiating aperture is proposed and demonstrated to achieve a high gain and wideband operation with a limited profile. The size of the total antenna is 200 mm × 10 mm. The measured impedance bandwidth of the UHF antenna ranges from 0.890 to 0.907 GHz with a minimum antenna gain of 9 dBi. The measured impedance bandwidth of the ultra-wideband antenna can cover the frequency band from 3 to 4.99 GHz with a minimum antenna gain of 9 dBi. The antenna gains near two WLAN bands are less than -15 dBi at 2.45 GHz and -5 dBi at 5.8 GHz, respectively. The mutual coupling between the two ports is less than -30 dB over the two bands.