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Coupled and characteristic modes of a wideband slot antenna using FEKO

Borchardt, John J.

Coupled Mode Theory (CMT) is a classic model that addresses many diverse problems in physics and electrical engineering. Although CMT is well-established in areas such as directional coupler design, its significance in antenna engineering is less well-recognized. Recently, Characteristic Mode Analysis (CMA) has shown how CMT quantitatively models a wide variety of multi-mode patch structures. In this paper, we extend these ideas to a double-tuned slot antenna utilizing some unique features of the method of moments code FEKO. The modeled slot antenna has a stable radiation pattern throughout its 50% impedance bandwidth. CMA decomposition indicates the antenna consists of two resonators: the slot and a lumped LC resonator that represents the feed probe. The two are electromagnetically coupled to produce broad impedance bandwidth. An equivalent circuit whose values are derived directly from the CMA results is given.