Leaf-shaped CPW-fed UWB antenna with triple notch bands for ground penetrating radar applications

A compact (38.31 mm x 34.52 mm x 0.8 mm) leaf shaped CPW fed ultra-wideband antenna is proposed. The antenna gives wide impedance bandwidth from 2.58 GHz to 11.62 GHz with sharp triple notch bands (3.28 GHz-3.82 GHz, 5.12 GHz-5.4 GHz, and 5.7 GHz-6 GHz) to eliminate interference from co-existing IEEE 802.16 WiMAX (3.3 GHz-3.8 GHz), IEEE 802.11y (3.65 GHz-3.69 GHz), IEEE 802.11a WLAN (5.15 GHz-5.35 GHz and 5.725 GHz-5.825 GHz), and IEEE 802.11p DSRC (5.85 GHz-5.925 GHz) bands. The antenna provides minimal gain variation (2-5 dBi), flat group delay response and non-varying transfer function with high average efficiency of 88% in the pass band. Significant drop in gain and efficiency, nonlinearity in transfer function, and high variation in group delay are observed at notch bands. Antenna VSWR, and efficiency are measured in close proximity of sand, wood, and glass. Satisfactory results ensure its ability to work as Ground penetrating radar antenna.