Plasmonic metamaterial dipole antenna array circuitry based on flexible solar cell panel for self‐powered wireless systems

A broadband plasmonic metamaterial dipole antenna array (PMDAA) circuitry for self‐powered wireless systems is presented. The PMDAA circuitry is integrated on the surface of a flexible photovoltaic solar‐panel for solar energy harvesting. The proposed antenna performs an ultra‐wide band that my suite different wireless technologies. Nevertheless, the proposed antenna shows a very low shadowing area that has a negligible effect on the solar panel efficiency. A numerical simulation based on a finite integral technique of CST MWS formulations is conducted to study the antenna performance. HFSS software package is invoked in this study to validate the PMDAA circuitry performance before conducting the experimental study. It is found that the antenna circuitry covers the frequency range from 0.5 to 16.7 GHz. The antenna gain is found to vary from 3 dB up to 19 dB. Finally, the antenna is fabricated and measured experientially in anechoic chamber environments that led to excellent matching with the simulated results.