Abstract Scope |
Antenna technology has seen significant advancements over the past century, driven by innovations in materials and design strategies. These developments have enabled the creation of highly efficient, miniaturized antennas capable of operating across wide frequency ranges and transmitting large volumes of data wirelessly. Despite these achievements, challenges remain—particularly in transmitting signals through lossy or complex media such as soil, and in miniaturizing antennas for lower-frequency applications. This paper reports the design of a novel, low-power, miniaturized, multi-layer dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for underground wireless communication. An array of split-ring resonators (SRRs) is integrated into the structure to enhance performance and support further size reduction. The compact antenna is custom-designed for inkjet printing using advanced dielectric materials, enabling rapid and scalable fabrication with tailored electromagnetic properties. The research aims to offer a compact and efficient solution for subterranean applications such as underground sensor networks, where power is limited and sustained by energy-harvesting systems.
Keywords: metamaterial, split ring resonator, dielectric resonator antenna, low power, miniaturization |