A slotted patch antenna with enhanced gain pattern for automotive applications

A single-layer via-less rectangular patch antenna for automotive applications in C-band is proposed. To match the needs of a vehicular dedicated short range communication protocol, the resonant edge of the antenna is enlarged to narrow the beamwidth in the H-plane, while at the same time a pair of thin slots serve as inhibitors for the higher modes, permitting adequate matching and polarization purity. The proposed single patch antenna presents a realized gain about 6.85 dB, H-plane beamwidth narrower than ±32◦, E-plane beamwidth larger than ±45.5◦, and return loss exceeding 20 dB with a 3 dB bandwidth of 500 MHz, with a minimum at 5810 MHz, hence suitable for coexistence of different communication standard in the C-band. Furthermore, its compact dimension permits the direct integration within a radio front-end.