Integration of Microstrip Patch Antenna with Flexible Thin Film Solar Cell

Abstract

The implementation of flexible Dual band rectangular ring patch antenna combined with a thin film solar cell is reported. The multiple layers in the encapsulation of the thin film solar cell are used as substrate for the antenna design. The measured impedance bandwidth of the proposed solar antenna are 1.82 GHz-1.87 GHz (2.71%) centered at 1.85 GHz and 2.38 GHz-2.48 GHz (4.11%) at 2.45 GHz .The measured gain at 1.85 and 2.45 GHz are 4.47 dBi and 4.16 dBi respectively. The flexibility of the antenna is also tested by bending radius of 6cm was used and antenna performed well in bent Condition too. This antenna is suitable for applications like wearable Radio Frequency energy harvesting, to powering the implanted electronics or sensors.