electronics

Article
A Compact Sub-GHz Wide Tunable Antenna Design for
IoT Applications
Rifaqat Hussain 1 , Saad I. Alhuwaimel 2 , Abdullah M. Algarni 1 , Khaled Aljaloud 3 and Niamat Hussain 4, *

1 Electrical Engineering Department, King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM),
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; [email protected] (R.H.); [email protected] (A.M.A.)
2 King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia; [email protected]
3 College of Engineering, Muzahimiyah Branch, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2454,
Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; [email protected]
4 Department of Smart Device Engineering, School of Intelligent Mechatronics Engineering, Sejong University,
Seoul 05006, Korea
* Correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract: This work presents a compact meandered loop slot-line 5G antenna for Internet of Things
(IoT) applications. Recently, sub-gigahertz (sub-GHz) IoT technology is widely spreading. It enables
long-range communications with low power consumption. The proposed antenna structure is
optimized to operate at sub-GHz bands without any additional complex biasing circuitry or antenna
structure. A miniaturized design was achieved by a meandered structured loop slot-line that is loaded
reactively with a varactor diode. Wideband frequency reconfigurability (FR) was achieved by the use
of the varactor diode. The proposed antenna resonates over the frequency band of 758–1034 MHz
with a minimum bandwidth of 17 MHz over the entire frequency band. The RO4350 substrate with
dimensions of 0.18λg × 0.13λg mm2 is used to design the proposed antenna design. The efficiency





 and gain values varied from 54–67% and 0.86–1.8 dBi. Compact planar structure, narrow-band
Citation: Hussain, R.; Alhuwaimel, operation (suitable for NB-IoT) and simple biasing circuitry, which allows for sub-GHz operation, are
S.I.; Algarni, A.M.; Aljaloud, K.; unique and attractive features of the design.
Hussain, N. A Compact Sub-GHz
Wide Tunable Antenna Design for Keywords: sub-GHz; meandered loop; frequency agile; IoT antenna; 5G antenna
IoT Applications. Electronics 2022, 11,
1074. https://doi.org/10.3390/
electronics11071074

Academic Editors: Faisel Tubbal,

1. Introduction
Ladislau Matekovits and Raad Raad The exponential Internet of things (IoT) growth with the use of small-cell devices
results in the massive expansion of the traffic loads. This demand has revolutionized
Received: 31 January 2022
the current technology into 5G, which requires ultra-low latency, a high data rate, and
Accepted: 27 March 2022
improved capacity. By 2030, multibillion IoT technology users are expected. The growth of
Published: 29 March 2022
sub-GHz low-cost and reliable RF front-end devices is increasing as a requirement of this
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral massive connectivity. Such systems are good candidates as the spectrum below 1 GHz is
with regard to jurisdictional claims in less crowded and reliable propagation can be ensured in large infrastructures. The Global
published maps and institutional affil- System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) industry completely described the details
iations. of 3GPP standards for both NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies as part of the developing
specifications for 5G. NB-IoT and LTE-M technologies are continuously evolving as a part
of 5G as per 3GPP. Both technologies are suitable for 5G-enabled NB-IoT devices.
NB-IoT applications include street lighting, electronic appliances, sensors, actuators,
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
and other machines that can be connected to the internet and with each other through
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
device-to-device (D2D) connectivity. NB-IoT networks are suitable for a large number
distributed under the terms and
of connected devices with extended battery life. For such applications, long-range and
conditions of the Creative Commons
low-power consumption communications are required to work in the sub-GHz bands. As a
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// result, designing compact structure sub-GHz antenna systems that work over multiple fre-
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ quency bands lower than 1 GHz has become a necessity. This is attainable using frequency
4.0/). reconfigurable (FR) antennas that have omni-directional radiation characteristics, which

Electronics 2022, 11, 1074. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11071074 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/electronics

Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 2 of 14

extend the antenna coverage area [1]. The proposed NB-IoT antenna design is suitable for
numerous applications, such as healthcare, pet tracking, kid monitoring, smart metering,
parking alarms, event detectors, and home appliances.
With the fast-growing IoT applications, the need for efficient power management
and communication over long distances are challenging requirements. In the literature,
several IoT antenna designs that address various IoT application challenges at different
frequencies have been reported. The reported solutions include compact and low-profile
antenna designs for multi-standard IoT antennas with wide-range frequency coverage
in sub-6 GHz bands. These various antenna designs include inverted-F antennas, loop
antennas, and monopole antennas.
Antenna designs based on monopoles for IoT applications were presented in [2–4].
Such solutions could be appropriate for wideband antenna operation intended to cover
many wireless communication systems standards. In [2], a compact (20 mm × 30 mm)
multi-band single element antenna is presented. The proposed antenna covers the following
frequency bands: 1.79–2.63 GHz, 3.46–3.97 GHz, 4.92–5.85 GHz, and 7.87–8.40 GHz. This is
an integrated 4G/5G antenna design to operate at sub-6 GHz and in the mm-wave band.
Slots and monopoles were utilized to achieve the desired integrated operation. This is one
of the pioneering works in 4G/5G integrated solutions. A compact structure monopole
antenna that is resonating over the frequency band from 3 to 12 GHz, the board dimensions
are 9.45 mm × 18.5 mm was presented in [3]. In this work, a slot antenna based 4G/5G
integrated solution was provided using a dual-function planar connected array. The authors
in [4], a multi-band antenna was presented for IoT applications. The main antenna features
were its suitability for near-field communications in both microwave frequency bands and
ultra-high frequency (UHF) bands. In addition, the antenna is suitable for low-frequency
bands operating in IoT applications. This work also reported a 4G/5G integrated solution
based on a monopole antenna array.
Several patch antenna designs for IoT applications were investigated in [5,6]. A
2.4 GHz high fractional bandwidth compact patch antenna was presented in [5]. The
proposed antenna consists of an inverse S-shaped meander line that is connected to the
rectangular box with a slot. This technique is utilized to reduce the antenna dimensions.
The board dimensions are 40 mm × 1.6 mm. Both parasitic patch and capacitive loading
were used to achieve a gain of −0.256 dBi and an overall efficiency of 79%. The work in [6]
presented a miniaturized patch antenna design that operates in sub-GHz. A 95% miniatur-
ization was achieved, compared to a conventional patch antenna, over the frequency band
805 to 835 MHz. The use of high folding, slots, and slits with inductive loading, utilizing
vias, helped in achieving this excellent miniaturization. The dimensions of the antenna
board with the elevated structure are 30 mm × 31.84 mm × 4.37 mm.
Other antenna types for IoT applications are reported in the literature. For example,
the following: monopole antennas loaded with inverted-L shaped stubs in [7], 3D-printed
antennas [8], loop antennas [9], and glass frame antennas [10]. The solutions provided
in [7,8] are based on monopole antennas and non-planar antenna structures. In [9], a
2.45 GHz transparent conductor antenna for IoT applications was presented. The variations
in the realized antenna gain in the presence of metal frames nearby have been discussed
in detail. The antenna is compact in size, with dimensions of 36 mm × 36 mm × 0.5 mm.
In this work, a dual-band shared-aperture based antenna is presented with high channel
isolation. Some other recent work on antenna designs for IoT applications was also reported
in [11–14]. All these antennas operate above 1 GHz and hence are not suitable for narrow
band IoT applications for long-range communication.
Most of the antenna designs operating in sub-GHz are elevated printed inverted F-
antennas (PIFA), monopole, or dipole antennas [15–19]. In [15], a folded miniaturized patch
antenna was presented for IoT device operating at 805–835 MHz. In [16], digitally tunable
capacitor (DTC) was used to tune the antenna from 600–900 MHz. The digital control
and the low power consumption make this antenna a good candidate for IoT applications.
In [17], a transparent double folded loop antenna was presented for IoT applications. The
Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 3 of 14

antenna was operating at 2.4 GHz with a bandwidth of 500 MHz. In [18], a 3D printed
antenna-on-package antenna was presented with isotropic patterns for an IoT application
operating at 2.4 GHz. Similarly, in [19], an energy harvesting rectenna was presented for IoT
applications. The proposed antenna design would utilize an energy harvesting mechanism
using rectenna to mitigate the challenges of battery constraint issues. The antenna was
operated at a frequency band of 2.4 GHz.
Also, other frequency reconfigurable antennas closely resembling the proposed an-
tenna are reported in [20–23]. The solutions provided are based on either reactive loading
or meandering structures. However, neither of them was able to achieve a compact planar
structure with sub-GHz operation. Also, the solutions provided in [20–23] are non-planar
structures or non-reconfigurable structures with large antenna dimensions.
Thus, the non-compact and non-planar antennae limited the tuning capabilities, affect-
ing their suitability for small IoT applications and terminal devices. Only a few slot-based
antenna designs that operate in sub-GHz bands are reported in the literature, such as [24,25].
The solutions provided in [24,25] used a simple slot structure to tune the antenna in the
desired frequency. Most of the reported frequency reconfigurable antenna designs are
operating in frequency bands that are above 2 GHz. The proposed design in [24] covers the
frequency bands of 0.9, 1.8, 1.9, and 2.4 GHz. The antenna size is 38 mm × 16 mm. In [25],
a dual antenna design that covers the 0.860 and 2.45 GHz frequency bands was presented.
The antenna is 50 mm × 50 mm in size.
In [26], an energy harvesting antenna design for IoT applications was presented. The
proposed antenna consisted of a rectangular patch along with a filter and rectifier circuitry
operating at a frequency band of 2.4 GHz. The authors provided an energy harvesting
solution without optimizing the antenna. The authors in [27] present a 60 GHz mm-wave
antenna for the IoT. The total bandwidth of this antenna is 9.8 GHz having a peak gain
of 9.6 dBi. The performance of the antenna was thoroughly evaluated to determine the
radiation coverage. The given antenna design is a well-suited option for body-centric IoT
applications because of its compact structure.
Very few antennas for sub-GHz were reported, as it is quite challenging to design
a compact antenna structure. This is because of the poor input impedance matching
with the small antenna size. In [28], a detailed survey based on fractal antennas was
presented. The significance of the fractal antennas for IoT application is well studies
and provided a thorough literature survey on fractal antennas. Various IoT antennas are
reported in the literature [29–31]. In [29], a transparent 2-element 5G MIMO antenna for
sub-6 GHz applications is described. Thus, this work provided a guideline on the use
of transparent for IoT applications. Similarly, a low-profile single-band and dual-band
antenna were presented in [30] for IoT applications. The slot structure was optimized to
operation in single as well as dual band. in [31], the authors proposed an artificial magnetic
conductor-backed compact wearable antenna was proposed. Such antennas are good
candidates for IoT applications. At the expense of complex antenna geometry. Comparing
to other works, the proposed antenna design outperformed in terms of various features are
comprehensively discussed in this article.
The novelty and distinguishing features of the proposed work are described in detail
as follows:
(1) To overcome the challenging requirement for IoT devices to have extended coverage
with minimal power consumption, it is highly desirable to design a compact antenna
for lower frequency bands. The proposed antenna structure is an attempt to meet
the desired performance and standards of narrow-band IoT (NB-IoT) applications for
5G-enabled IoT devices. None of the available literature [2–6,15–23], and [32–36] can
be used for NB-IoT in sub-GHz with wide tuning capability;
(2) A compact meandered loop slot-line antenna with frequency agility suitable for
NB-IoT applications that operate in sub-GHz bands is proposed. The work cited
in [4,6,15–19,21,23] covered sub-GHz bands, but the majority of them were not suitable
for NB-IoT operations;
Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 4 of 14

(3) The proposed antenna benefits from the following unique features: simple biasing
circuitry, compact planar structure, and it operates over the sub-GHz bands which
fit for NB operations, but most of the existing antennas are not suitable for NB
operation [2,3,6,16–19,21–23,32–36];
(4) Miniaturization was achieved using a unique combination of meandered loop slot-line
along with a reactively loaded slot antenna. A 173% size reduction in area is obtained
using this technique. As per the authors’ information, none of the works achieved
such a high level of miniaturization;
(5) Resonating bands’ smooth variation is noticed over a very wide band from 758 to
1034 MHz with antenna dimensions of 60 × 27 mm2 ;
(6) Moreover, a step-by-step antenna design procedure and analysis are provided to
give general guidelines to understanding how to scale its design for any desired
frequency band;
(7) As per 3GPP Release 13 and 15, the proposed antenna design is suitable to be utilized
in the following NB-IoT bands: B-5, B-8, B-13, B-14, B-17, B-18, B-19, B-20, and B-26.
None of the reported literature can cover such a large number of sub-1 GHz bands.
(8) The proposed NB-IoT antenna is best suited for 5G-enabled NB-IoT devices.
Section 2 of this paper discusses the proposed antenna design details and the theoreti-
cal analysis. The simulated and measured scattering parameters results and the radiation
characteristics of the proposed antenna design are presented in Section 3. Finally, Section 4
provides a set of conclusions about the presented work.

2. Design Details
The major challenges for IoT antenna designs are the requirements for compact antenna
structures and sub-GHz operations for better power management along with long-distance
communication. In this section, the detailed antenna geometry of the proposed design
is presented, equivalent circuit diagram and the physics behind the antenna’s operation,
followed by a step-by-step antenna design procedure.

2.1. Antenna Geometry

Figure 1 shows the proposed a meandered loop slot-line antenna design. The antenna
was designed and fabricated using an RO4350 substrate with dimensions of
27 mm × 60 mm × 0.76 mm. The relative permittivity (εr ) of the substrate is 3.48 and its
loss tangent (tanδ) is 0.0036. The Rogers substrate can be replaced with FR-4 to obtain good
resonance sweeps but with slightly lower radiation efficiency values. For the Rogers-4350
board, the temperature coefficient of the dielectric constant is among the lowest of any
circuit board material. This makes it an ideal substrate for broadband applications. After
optimizing the antenna design, the design is mainly composed of the following: an etched
slot-line structure from the ground plane and a meandered-shaped rectangular slot-line
used to increase the radiating structure’s effective electrical length. The proposed antenna
design dimensions are the following: l1 = 38, l2 = 36, l3 = 19, l4 = 11, l5 = 7.5, w1 = 5.5,
w2 = 3.5, w3 = 6, w4 = 4.
The proposed antenna top layer detailed view is shown in Figure 1a. It is composed
of a matched 50 Ω input impedance (Zin ), a microstrip feedline, and the biasing circuitry
of the varactor diode. The varactor diode biasing circuit (Dv) consisted of a series of
combinations of RF chokes (L1 and L2 ) and current limiting resistors (R1 and R2 ). Sorting
posts (SP) were used to connect the bottom layer varactor diode to the biasing circuitry
in the top layer. RF chokes were used to isolate the radiating structure from the power
supply. The reverse-biased varactor diode acted as a DC blocking capacitor. Hence, the
DC biasing part and the RF radiating structure are well isolated and have a very minimal
effect on the antenna’s performance. SMV 1233 varactor diode is used [37]. The varactor
diode (SMV1233) maximum reverse bias current is 20 nA. From the maximum current
specifications, the maximum biasing circuit power loss is −87.7 dBm.
Electronics 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 14

(SMV1233) maximum reverse bias current is 20 nA. From the maximum current specifi-
cations, the maximum biasing circuit power loss is −87.7 dBm.
Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 (SMV1233) maximum reverse bias current is 20 nA. From the maximum current
5 of 14 specifi-

cations, the maximum biasing circuit power loss is −87.7 dBm.

Figure 1. Proposed antenna (a) Top view (b) Bottom view (All dimensions are in millimeters, mm)

FigureThe
Figure groundantenna
1.1.Proposed
Proposed plane
antennadetailed
(a) (a)
TopTop view
view
view is shown
(b) Bottom
(b) Bottom in Figure
view
view (All 1b. are
After
(All dimensions
dimensions optimization,
mm). themm)
are in millimeters,
in millimeters, rec-
tangular slot operates at below 1 GHz frequency band. After several parametric sweeps
The ground plane detailed view is shown in Figure 1b. After optimization, the
of theThe
rectangular
ground length
structure’s plane detailed
slot operates atand below
view isresultant
width,
1 GHzthe
shown instructure
frequency band.
Figure 1b. After optimization,
is shown.
After several The 1 sweeps
parametric mm wide the uni-
rec-
tangular
form slot
of theslot-line operates
structure’s is used at below
lengththroughout 1 GHz
and width, the frequency
meandered
the resultant band. After
structure.
structure several
The final
is shown. parametric
The optimized
1 mm wideantennasweeps
of
uniform slot-line is used throughout the meandered structure. The final optimized1
the structure’s
dimensions are length
shown inand width,
Figure 1b. the
The resultant
varactor structure
diodes’ is shown.
exact The
positions mm
and wide uni-
placements
antenna
form
are slot-line
critical
dimensions as is used
arethey
shown inthroughout
help in achieving
Figure 1b. Thethe meandered
wide diodes’ structure.
frequency
varactor band
exact Theand
tuning.
positions final optimized
Theplacements
LPKF S103 antenna
aremachine
dimensions
[38] was
critical used
as they are toshown
help in Figure
fabricate thewide
in achieving 1b.
antenna.TheThe
frequencyvaractor diodes’
fabricated
band tuning. exact
model
The LPKF positions
top and [38]
andmachine
S103 bottom placements
layers are
are critical
shown
was as they2a,b,
usedintoFigure
fabricate help in achieving
the respectively.
antenna. wide frequency
The other
The fabricated antenna
model band
top tuning.
design
and bottom The LPKF
dimensions
layers S103 machine
are shown
are shown in
[38] was
in Figure
Figure 1. used
2a,b, to fabricate
An increase in thethe
respectively. The antenna.
other
slot antennaThe increase
length will fabricated
design themodel
dimensions top and
are shown
electrical bottom
in
length of thelayers
Figure are
1.antenna,
An increase in the slot length will increase the electrical length of the antenna, and hence
shown
and hencein Figure
the antenna2a,b, respectively.
will resonateThe at aother
lowerantenna
frequency design
band. dimensions
On the other arehand,
shownany in
the antenna will resonate at a lower frequency band. On the other hand, any change in
Figure 1.
change in An
the increase
slot in the
width will slot length
result in willmatching.
poor increase the Theelectrical
given length slot
optimal of the antenna
width gave
the slot width will result in poor matching. The given optimal slot width gave us the best
and
us
Zinthehence
best the
matching. Zin antenna
matching. will resonate at a lower frequency band. On the other hand, any
change in the slot width will result in poor matching. The given optimal slot width gave
us the best Zin matching.

Figure
Figure 2.2.Fabricated
Fabricatedantenna
antenna
(a) (a)
TopTop view
view (b) Bottom
(b) Bottom view (dimensions
view (dimensions are in millimeters,
are in millimeters, mm). mm).
2.2. Antenna Operation
2.2. Antenna
Figure Operation
2. Fabricated antenna (a) Top view (b) Bottom view (dimensions are in millimeters, mm).
Slot-based FR antennas gain more attraction as they are low-profile planar structures,
easy Slot-based
to integrate,FR antennas
and gain more
able to operate attraction
in wide as they
frequency are low-profile
bands. planar
In the literature, structures,
open
2.2.
and Antenna
easy Operation
to integrate,
closed-ended anddesigns
slot able towere
operate in wide and
investigated frequency bands.
reported. In theends
The closed literature, open and
or short-
Slot-based
closed-ended
circuited FRdesigns
slot
slot antennaantennas gaininvestigated
can be were
modeledmore attraction
as λ/2 andasreported.
they
transmission arewhich
line low-profile
The closed planar
ends
corresponds orstructures
to short-cir-
its
easy
cuitedto slot
integrate,
fundamental antenna andcan
frequency ablebetomodeled
operate
of resonance [39].in
aswide frequency
λ/2 antennas
These transmission
maybands.
beline In the
which
loaded literature,
with corresponds
capacitiveopentoand
its
closed-ended slot designs were investigated and reported. The closed ends or short-cir-
cuited slot antenna can be modeled as λ/2 transmission line which corresponds to its
Electronics 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 14

Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 fundamental frequency of resonance [39]. These antennas may be loaded with capacitive
6 of 14

reactance. The antenna resonance can be optimized over a wide frequency band. The rec-
tangular slot antenna fundamental resonance frequency is given by the following [40]:
reactance. The antenna resonance can be optimized over a wide frequency band. The
𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐
𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑟 = resonance×frequency is given by the following [40]:
rectangular slot antenna fundamental
(𝑙𝑙𝑚𝑚 + 𝑤𝑤𝑚𝑚 ) 𝜀𝜀 + 1
𝑟𝑟 (1)
c c �
4 𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
fr = × q 1.5𝜀𝜀𝑟𝑟 (1)
( lm + wm ) 4 f res ε1.5ε r +1
lm = l1 + l2 + 4l3 + 2l4 + 2l5, wm = 4w1 + 4w2 + w3 + w4, c is the speed of light in free space, εr
r

is the relative permittivity of the substrate, fr is the modified rectangular antenna’s funda-
lm = l1 + l2 + 4l3 + 2l4 + 2l5 , wm = 4w1 + 4w2 + w3 + w4 , c is the speed of light in free
mental resonance frequency, and the term (lm + wm) is the mean circumference of the me-
space, εr is the relative permittivity of the substrate, fr is the modified rectangular antenna’s
andered
fundamentalrectangular
resonance ringfrequency,
slot antenna.
and Inthethe
termproposed
(lm + wmdesign,
) is the the
meaneffective mean circum-
circumference of
ference can be an
the meandered estimate ring
rectangular of several rectangular
slot antenna. In theslots
proposedthat determine
design, thethe overall
effective funda-
mean
mental resonance
circumference canfrequency.
be an estimate of several rectangular slots that determine the overall
The meandered
fundamental resonance loop-slot structure was reactively loaded using a varactor diode (Dv),
frequency.
as shown in Figures 1loop-slot
The meandered and 2. The varactor
structure wasdiode was utilized
reactively loadedtousing
varyathe slot-line
varactor capaci-
diode
tance at shown
(Dv ), as a certainin point.
FiguresAs a result,
1 and 2. Theit helped
varactorindiodebringingwas the resonance
utilized to varyfrequency
the slot-linedown
to the lower band. The reactive loading is a non-uniform operation, and it can be deter-
capacitance at a certain point. As a result, it helped in bringing the resonance frequency
mined
down to using the location
the lower band. Theof the varactor
reactive diode
loading is (L v1), its capacitance
a non-uniform valueand
operation, Cv it
and canthe
be im-
pedance
determined (Zo)using
of thethe
slot line structure.
location The resonance
of the varactor diode (Lv1frequency of the value
), its capacitance reactive
Cv loaded
and the slot
can be determined
impedance using
(Zo ) of the the transmission
slot line structure. Theline equivalent
resonance circuit
frequency of model as given
the reactive loadedin the
slot can be
following [41]:determined using the transmission line equivalent circuit model as given in the
following [41]:
tan(β Lt)+ tan(β (Lt − Lv)) − ωCvZintan(β L1)tanβ (Lt − Lv) = 0 (2)
tan(β Lt ) + tan(β (Lt − Lv )) − ωCv Zin tan(β L1 )tanβ (Lt − Lv ) = 0 (2)
where Lt is the total length of the slot (Lt = lm + wm), β is the propagation constant. This
constant
where Lt depends
is the totalonlength
the frequency of(L
of the slot t = lm + wLmv),isβthe
operation distance
is the of diode
propagation placement
constant. Thisfrom
the feedline,
constant Cv isonthe
depends thevaractor
frequency diode capacitance,
of operation Lv is theand ω is the
distance angular
of diode frequency.
placement fromThe
reactively loaded
the feedline, Cv is slot antenna diode
the varactor resonance frequency
capacitance, and can ω isbe
thenumerically determined
angular frequency. The by
solving Equation (2). The resonance frequencies obtained for the optimized design by
reactively loaded slot antenna resonance frequency can be numerically determined using
HFSS were
solving also compared
Equation with theoretical
(2). The resonance frequenciesvalues basedfor
obtained onthe
Equation
optimized(2). design
The two results
using
HFSS were also
(theoretical, compared with
HFSS-based) theoretical
obtained are (750values
MHz basedandon 764Equation
MHz), (2).
(826The
MHz,two836
results
MHz),
(theoretical, HFSS-based) obtained are (750 MHz and 764 MHz), (826 MHz, 836 MHz),
(901 MHz, 885 MHz), (981 MHz, 964 MHz), (1052 MHz, 1029 MHz). A small variation in
(901 MHz, 885 MHz), (981 MHz, 964 MHz), (1052 MHz, 1029 MHz). A small variation in
values is observed. Thus, the mathematical expression derived is useful to obtain an in-
values is observed. Thus, the mathematical expression derived is useful to obtain an insight
sight into the effective reactive loading of the slot antenna structure.
into the effective reactive loading of the slot antenna structure.
Figure
Figure 33 shows
shows the theequivalent
equivalentcircuit
circuitmodel
model of ofthethe proposed
proposed meandered
meandered loop-slot
loop-slot
antenna. The series combination of a microstrip feedline (series LfCf circuit) and an RLC
antenna. The series combination of a microstrip feedline (series Lf Cf circuit) and an RLC
resonating circuit that
resonating circuit thatrepresents
representsthetheloop-slot
loop-slot radiating
radiating structure
structure is shown
is shown in Figure
in Figure 3a. 3a.

3. Equivalent
Figure 3.
Figure Equivalentcircuit model
circuit (a) (a)
model Meandered loop-slot
Meandered with feedline
loop-slot (b) Varactor
with feedline diode (c) diode
(b) Varactor Com- (c)
Complete circuit model.
plete circuit model.
Electronics 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 14

Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 7 of 14

The varactor diode equivalent circuit and the complete antenna design equivalent
circuit model are shown in Figure 3b,c, respectively [42]. The antenna equivalent circuit
The varactor diode equivalent circuit and the complete antenna design equivalent
model analysis assists in gaining a better understanding of the proposed antenna design
circuit model are shown in Figure 3b,c, respectively [42]. The antenna equivalent circuit
multi-band operation, the slot reactive loading, and FR antenna operation. ADS can be
model analysis assists in gaining a better understanding of the proposed antenna design
used to obtain the antenna circuit element values and the antenna reactive loading parts
multi-band operation, the slot reactive loading, and FR antenna operation. ADS can be
can be extracted by using the S-parameters [43].
used to obtain the antenna circuit element values and the antenna reactive loading parts
can be extracted by using the S-parameters [43].
2.3. Antenna Design Procedure
This section
2.3. Antenna Design provides
Procedure a step-by-step antenna design procedure and optimization
stepsThis
to obtain the final design. The first antenna
section provides a step-by-step step to designing the proposed
design procedure antenna wassteps
and optimization de-
signing a rectangular slot-line antenna structure with dimensions
to obtain the final design. The first step to designing the proposed antenna was designing 24 mm × 15 mm, feda
with 50 Ω microstrip
rectangular line. Thestructure
slot-line antenna antenna with was dimensions
resonating above 24 mm the× 215GHz
mm,bands. The50di-
fed with Ω
mensions
microstripofline.the slot
The were
antenna optimized to make above
was resonating it resonate
the 2above 1.5 GHzThe
GHz bands. by dimensions
increasing the of
electrical
the slot werelength of the radiating
optimized to make slot. To further
it resonate reduce
above 1.5the
GHz resonance frequency
by increasing to lower
the electrical
bands, the rectangular structure was turned into a meandered structure
length of the radiating slot. To further reduce the resonance frequency to lower bands, to achieve a res-
onance frequency
the rectangular that is below
structure 2 GHz,into
was turned as shown in Figure
a meandered 4a. Fortothe
structure given ameandered
achieve resonance
structure,
frequency the thatslot structure
is below 2 GHz,wasasresonating
shown in Figureat 1.754a.GHz.For The antenna
the given was further
meandered opti-
structure,
mized
the slotbystructure
increasingwas its resonating
electrical length,
at 1.75asGHz.shown in Figure
The antenna4b. wasThefurther
given structure
optimizedwas by
working
increasing at its
1.305 GHz. The
electrical width
length, of eachinslot
as shown as well
Figure 4b. as
The the distance
given between
structure was different
working
meandered
at 1.305 GHz. slots
Thewere
widthoptimized
of each to tune
slot the antenna
as well to be effectively
as the distance betweenloaded with
different varactor
meandered
capacitance to cover the maximum sub-GHz bands of the proposed antenna structure. For
slots were optimized to tune the antenna to be effectively loaded with varactor capacitance
the same the
to cover antenna
maximumstructure as shown
sub-GHz bands in of
Figure 4b, the theoretical
the proposed resonanceFor
antenna structure. value
thecalcu-
same
lated
antennabased on Equation
structure as shown 1 was 1.287 4b,
in Figure GHz.theHence, a very
theoretical close agreement
resonance between
value calculated the
based
theoretical
on Equation and simulated
1 was 1.287 GHz.values was observed.
Hence, a very close agreement between the theoretical and
simulated values was observed.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Figure
Figure 4.
4. Zin
Zin curves
curves (a) Stage-1 Zin in curves (b) Z
curves (b) Zinincurves
curvesof
of the
the optimized
optimized design
design (c) Zinin curves
curves with
with
varactor
varactor loading
loading (d)
(d) Re{Z
Re{Zinin}}for
forvarious
variouscapacitance
capacitancevalues.
values.

A
A single
single varactor
varactor diode
diode was
was utilized
utilizedto
to bring
bringthe
the resonance
resonancefrequency
frequencydown
downto tosub-
sub-
GHz bands, as well as a continuous sweep of frequencies was obtained over a wide band.
GHz bands, as well as a continuous sweep of frequencies was obtained over a wide band.
Figure
Figure 4a–c
4a–c show
showthe thereal(R
real(Re)e )and
andimaginary(I
imaginary(I m)mparts
) parts ofof
input
inputimpedance
impedance (Zin(Z
).inIt).can be
It can
seen that Re{Zin} is inaround 50Ω while the Im{Zin} is crossing
be seen that Re{Z } is around 50Ω while the Im{Z in } is the zero value at the resonat-
crossing the zero value at the
ing bands. bands.
resonating The placement
The placement of theofdiode waswas
the diode veryvery
critical as as
critical the
theinput
inputimpedance
impedance (Z (Zinin))
matching was dependent on it. The varactor diode’s various locations resulted
matching was dependent on it. The varactor diode’s various locations resulted in different in different
reactive loading
reactive loading effects
effects on on the
the radiating
radiating structure.
structure. To
To obtain
obtain anan optimum
optimum Zin Zin matching,
matching,
several parametric analyses were performed, including its placement on the slot structure.
2, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 14

several parametric analyses were performed, including its placement on the slot structure.
Electronics 2022,The antenna
optimized dimensions and the placement of diodes resulted in a continuous
11, 1074 8 of 14

frequency sweep from 758∼1034 MHz, which can thus support several narrow-band IoT
applications below 1 GHz. Figure 4d shows the Re{Zin} for different capacitance values of
The antenna optimized dimensions and the placement of diodes resulted in a continuous
0.84, 0.90, 1.24, 2.09, and 5.08 pF. It has been observed that the capacitive loading helped
frequency sweep from 758∼1034 MHz, which can thus support several narrow-band IoT
Zin at different
in matching the applications resonating bands for different values of reverse bias volt-
below 1 GHz. Figure 4d shows the Re{Zin } for different capacitance values of
ages across the varactor diode.
0.84, 0.90, 1.24, 2.09, and 5.08 pF. It has been observed that the capacitive loading helped in
matching the Zin at different resonating bands for different values of reverse bias voltages
3. Results of Simulation
across the and Measurements
varactor diode.
For the proposed meandered loop-slot antenna, the simulation and modeling were
3. Results of Simulation and Measurements
performed using HFSSTM. The various dimensions of antenna design have been optimized
For the proposed meandered loop-slot antenna, the simulation and modeling were
to achieve the sub-1 GHz band. ThisTMincluded optimal varactor diode placement, maxi-
performed using HFSS . The various dimensions of antenna design have been optimized
mum effective reactive loading,
to achieve the sub-1asGHz
wellband.
as antenna placement
This included optimalon the PCB
varactor board.
diode The S-maximum
placement,
parameters wereeffective
measured using the Agilent N9918A VNA, while the antenna efficiencies
reactive loading, as well as antenna placement on the PCB board. The S-parameters
and gain patterns were
were computed
measured usingusing the SATIMO
the Agilent N9918A Star labwhile
VNA, anechoic chamber.
the antenna efficiencies and gain
patterns were computed using the SATIMO Star lab anechoic chamber.
3.1. Reflection Coefficient Curve
3.1. Reflection Coefficient Curve
The reflection curves characterize the proposed antenna design. The simulated and
The reflection curves characterize the proposed antenna design. The simulated and
measured results of the reflection curves are shown in Figure 5. Figure 5a shows the pro-
measured results of the reflection curves are shown in Figure 5. Figure 5a shows the pro-
posed antenna design simulated
posed antenna reflection
design coefficient
simulated reflectioncurves (S11).curves
coefficient The resulted
(S11 ). Thecurves arecurves are
resulted
for the design with varactor
for the diode
design with capacitance
varactor values from
diode capacitance 0.84–5.08
values pF and
from 0.84–5.08 pFthe
andcorre-
the correspond-
sponding reverse bias voltage values ranges from 15 to 0 V. A smooth variation
ing reverse bias voltage values ranges from 15 to 0 V. A smooth variation in the in the
resonating
resonating bandsbands
was observed from
was observed 753–1040
from 753–1040 MHz
MHzwith
withaa−10
−10dB dBbandwidth
bandwidth of 17 MHz.
of 17 MHz.The wide
The wide frequency sweeping
frequency withwith
sweeping narrowband
narrowband operations
operationsis is
thetheproposed
proposedantenna de-
antenna design’s key
sign’s key characteristic. The proposed slot radiating structure can easily cover several IoT
characteristic. The proposed slot radiating structure can easily cover several IoT bands in
the sub-GHz
bands in the sub-GHz range. range.

(a) (b)
Figure 5. Reflection coefficient
Figure curves
5. Reflection of the antenna
coefficient (a) antenna
curves of the Simulated S11 (b) Measured
(a) Simulated S11. S11 .
S11 (b) Measured

The proposed antenna’s

The proposedmeasured S-parameters
antenna’s are shown in
measured S-parameters areFigure
shown 5b. It is clear
in Figure 5b. It is clear
from the figure that the measured results are in good agreement with the simulation re- results.
from the figure that the measured results are in good agreement with the simulation
In the event of any small variation between the two results, it can be compensated for as
sults. In the event of any small variation between the two results, it can be compensated
continuous frequency sweeps have been obtained for both. This demonstrates the main
for as continuous frequency sweeps have been obtained for both. This demonstrates the
advantage of using varactor diode capacitive loading for these types of operations.
main advantage of using varactor
The slight diode capacitive
variations loadingand
in both simulated for these
measuredtypesS11ofare
operations.
mainly due to the
The slight variations in both simulated
substrate properties, and
fabrication measured
tolerances, S11varactor
and are mainly due
diode to the sub-
modeling flexibility in
strate properties,HFSS
fabrication
[44,45]. tolerances, and varactor
The HFSS does diode
not consider modeling
diode flexibility
losses and packaging in HFSS
effects. Also,
[44,45]. The HFSS does not
manual consider
soldering diode
of the SMA losses and packaging
connector might affecteffects. Also,
the values ofmanual sol-
input impedance Zin .
dering of the SMAThe connector might affect
additional harmonics are the values of input
the higher-order resonances of the Z
impedance in. antenna.
slot The addi- In an ideal
tional harmonics are the higher-order resonances of the slot antenna. In an ideal simulat-the input
simulating software environment, higher-order modes are poorly matched with
ing software environment, higher-order modes are poorly matched with the input
 impedance Zin, and hence are visible. However, the measured Zin is only matched
fundamental mode of operation within the given frequency bands, and the
matched bands did not appear for the measured values. Hence, no harmonics
Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 served for the measured S11 results. 9 of 14

3.2. Current Density Analysis

impedance Zin , and hence are visible. However, the measured Zin is only matched with its
For single
fundamental modeantenna designs,
of operation current
within the density bands,
given frequency analysis
and is
theusually performed to
poorly matched
standdid
bands thenot
radiation
appear forcharacteristics, determine
the measured values. the
Hence, no active parts
harmonics of thefor
are observed radiating
the st
and findSthe
measured 11 effective
results. electrical length of the antenna. For the proposed antenna
the current density distribution is plotted to understand the antenna’s behavior at
3.2. Current Density Analysis
onating frequency bands. It has been observed that current density distribution
For single antenna designs, current density analysis is usually performed to under-
over different
stand the radiationoperating bands.
characteristics, It has been
determine observed
the active that
parts of thearadiating
large portion of the an
structure,
radiating
and find theateffective
lower electrical
frequency bands
length and
of the vice versa.
antenna. For the Such analysis
proposed antenna can be utilized
design,
mize the antenna’s dimensions by eliminating non-radiating antenna parts.
the current density distribution is plotted to understand the antenna’s behavior at the The
current distributions of the proposed antenna design were analyzed at various b
resonating frequency bands. It has been observed that current density distribution varies
over different operating bands. It has been observed that a large portion of the antenna is
resonance.
radiating Figure
at lower 6a,b bands
frequency shows the
and current
vice distribution
versa. Such analysis canfor non-optimized
be utilized to optimize design
quency
the bands
antenna’s at 1.95 by
dimensions GHz and 1.75
eliminating GHz, respectively.
non-radiating ForThe
antenna parts. thesurface
optimizedcurrentdesign,
face currentofdensities
distributions the proposed at antenna
frequency designbands
were of 1029 MHz
analyzed andbands
at various 764 MHz are shown in
of resonance.
6c,d, respectively. From the given figures, it can be seen that the current
Figure 6a,b shows the current distribution for non-optimized design for frequency bands at densit
1.95 GHz and 1.75 GHz, respectively. For the optimized design, the surface current densities
different distribution for different frequency bands. Figure 6d shows the current
at frequency bands of 1029 MHz and 764 MHz are shown in Figure 6c,d, respectively. From
distribution
the at 764
given figures, it canMHz.
be seenIt that
can the
be current
seen that the has
density maximum
a differentcurrent variation
distribution for is al
outermost
different part of
frequency the loop
bands. Figureslot structure.
6d shows The density
the current effective electrical
distribution at length
764 MHz. canIt be ma
thebe
can corresponding resonating
seen that the maximum currentband. The
variation slot length
is along variations
the outermost affect
part of the loopthe
slot first an
structure. The effective electrical length can be mapped to the corresponding resonating
resonating bands for different values of capacitive loading. Thus, the analysis he
band. The slot length variations affect the first and other resonating bands for different
understanding
values of capacitivethe antenna’s
loading. Thus,operation
the analysisand gaveinuseful
helped insightsthe
understanding about operating a
antenna’s
ent frequency
operation and gavebands.
useful insights about operating at different frequency bands.

Figure 6. Surface current density at (a) 1950 MHz, (b) 1750 MHz, (c) 964 MHz, and (d) 764 MHz.
Figure 6. Surface current density at (a) 1950 MHz, (b) 1750 MHz, (c) 964 MHz, and (d) 764
3.3. Radiation Patterns
3.3. The
Radiation Patterns
radiation characteristics of the proposed antenna design at different frequency
bands characterize the antenna. The proposed antenna simulated 3-D gain patterns at
Theand
885 MHz radiation
1029 MHz characteristics of the
are shown in Figure proposed
7a,b, antenna
respectively. design
The gain at of
patterns different
the fre
bands characterize
proposed theomnidirectional
antenna design, antenna. Thebehavior
proposedwas antenna
observed atsimulated 3-Dbands.
the resonating gain pattern
MHz and 1029 MHz are shown in Figure 7a,b, respectively. The gain patterns of
The gain patterns that result from simulation and measurements and antenna efficiency
(%η) values of the antenna are listed in Table 1 and are shown in Figure 8. From the resulting
posed antenna design, omnidirectional behavior was observed at the resonating
values, it can be concluded that the proposed antenna will have good performance when
The gaininpatterns
operating thatbands.
the sub-GHz result from simulation and measurements and antenna ef
(%η) values of the antenna are listed in Table 1 and are shown in Figure 8. From
sulting values, it can be concluded that the proposed antenna will have good perfo
when operating in the sub-GHz bands.
The proposed antenna design radiation characteristics were validated by per
measurements with the setup shown in Figure 9. The 2D simulated and measur
patterns at 885 MHz and 1029 MHz are shown in Figure 10 for φ = 0° and φ = 90
 patterns for φ = 0°has omnidirectional
cut while behavior.
Figs. Figure 10c,d show theFigure 10a,b
simulated andshow the radiation
measured simulated and measu
patterns
patterns for θ = 90°. for φ = 0°
The proposed cutiswhile
work Figs.
intended to Figure 10c,d
be utilized show the simulated
in 5G-enabled IoT de- and meas
vices that mostlypatterns
operate atfor θ =power.
lower 90°. The proposed
Therefore, with work
typicalis intended
signal power to be utilized in 5G-en
densities,
this antenna would work well.
vices that mostly operate at lower power. Therefore, with typical signal po
Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 10 of 14
this antenna would work well.

Figure 7. Simulated 3-D antenna gain patterns at (a) 885 MHz (b) 1029 MHz.

Table 2 presents a detailed comparison that compares the distinguishing features of

the most relevant IoT 7.
Figure antennas
Simulatedavailable
3-D antennaingain
thepatterns
literature.
at (a)The various
885 MHz features
(b) 1029 MHz. included
Figure 7. Simulated 3-D antenna gain patterns at (a) 885
antenna type, size, bands covered, suitability for NB-IoT operation, %η, planar structure,
MHz (b) 1029 MHz.
Table 1. Peak gain (PG) and efficiency (%η) values of the proposed antenna.
percentage miniaturization obtained, continuous frequency sweep, and the number of
sub-GHz NB-IoT bands Table 2 presents
covered. MostResults
Simulated a detailed
of the comparison
IoT antennas reported are that compares
either
Measured Results the distinguish
wide-band
monopole (MP) or the fsmost
(MH) relevant
non-planar PIFA IoT antennas
designs.
PG (dBi) For %η available
such antennas, itin
fm (MHz) the PG
is quite literature.
challenging
(dBi) The
to %ηvarious feat
obtain a sub-GHzantenna
continuous frequency
764 type, size, sweep over
0.86 bands covered,55 a wide band. Although,
suitability
758 the
for NB-IoT
- proposed
operation,
- %η, pla
antenna design is competitive in terms of its compactness with some of the available de-
percentage
836 miniaturization
0.98 60obtained, 827 continuous0.86 frequency sweep,
54 and t
signs, it outperformed in sub-GHz bands with wide tunability and NB-IoT operation for
sub-GHz
885 NB-IoT 1.2bands covered. 63 Most 875 of the IoT antennas
better power management, long battery life, and enabled devices for long-distance com-
0.96 reported
59 are eith
munications, etc.monopole (MP) or non-planar PIFA designs. For such antennas, it is quite
964 1.4 67 976 1.13 64

obtain
1029a sub-GHz1.8 continuous
70 frequency sweep over
1033 1.42a wide band.
67 Although

antenna design is competitive in terms of its compactness with some of the

signs, it outperformed in sub-GHz bands with wide tunability and NB-IoT
better power management, long battery life, and enabled devices for long-
munications, etc.

(a) (b)
Figure 8. Simulated and measured
Figure realized
8. Simulated gains (a)
and measured 2.09 pF,
realized 2.5V
gains (a) (b)
2.090.84 pF, 15V.
pF, 2.5V (b) 0.84 pF, 15V.

The proposed antenna design radiation characteristics were validated by performing

measurements with the setup shown in Figure 9. The 2D simulated and measured gain
patterns at 885 MHz and 1029 MHz are shown in Figure 10 for ϕ = 0◦ and ϕ = 90◦ cut. It
can be observed that in the given mode of operation at each resonating band, the antenna
has omnidirectional behavior. Figure 10a,b show the simulated and measured radiation
patterns for ϕ = 0◦ cut while Figs. Figure 10c,d show the simulated and measured radiation
(a)
patterns for θ = 90◦ . The proposed (b)
work is intended to be utilized in 5G-enabled IoT devices
that mostly operate at lower power. Therefore, with typical signal power densities, this
Figure would
antenna 8. Simulated
work well.and measured realized gains (a) 2.09 pF, 2.5V (b) 0.84 pF, 15V.
Electronics
Electronics 2022,
2022, 11, xx FOR
11,11, FOR PEER REVIEW
Electronics 2022, 1074 PEER REVIEW 11 of 14

Figure
Figure9.9.
Figure 9. Antenna’s
Antenna’s
Antenna’s farfield
farfield
farfield measurement
setup. setup.
measurement
measurement setup.

Figure 10. Simulated and measured total gain patterns (a) ϕ = 0◦ at 885 MHz (b) ϕ = 0◦ at 1029 MHz
Figure
Figure
(c)
10.at Simulated
θ = 90◦10. Simulated
885
and
MHz (d) and
measured
θ = 90measured
total
total gain
◦ at 1029 MHz. gain patterns
patterns (a)
(a) φ
φ == 0°
0° at
at 885
885 MHz
MHz (b)
(b) φ
φ == 0°
0° at
at 10
1
(c)
(c) θθ == 90°
90° atat 885
885 MHz
MHz (d)
(d) θθ == 90°
90° at
at 1029
1029 MHz.
MHz.
Table 2 presents a detailed comparison that compares the distinguishing features of
Table
Table 1.
the most Peak
Peak gain
1. relevant IoT(PG)
gain and
and efficiency
antennas
(PG) (%η)
available in
efficiency the values
(%η) values of
of the
literature. Theproposed
the antenna.
various features
proposed included
antenna.
antenna type, size, bands covered, suitability for NB-IoT operation, %η, planar structure,
Simulated
percentage miniaturization Results
Results continuous frequency sweep,Measured
Simulatedobtained, Measured
and the numberResults
Results
of
ffss (MH) PG
PG (dBi) %η ffmm (MHz)
sub-GHz NB-IoT bands covered. Most of the IoT antennas reported are either wide-band
(MH) (dBi)PIFA designs.
%ηFor such antennas, (MHz) PG
PG (dBi)
(dBi) to %
%
monopole (MP) or non-planar it is quite challenging
764
obtain 764 0.86 55
0.86 frequency sweep
a sub-GHz continuous 55 over a wide band. 758 -
758 Although, the proposed
- -
antenna 836
836design is 0.98
0.98
competitive in terms 60
of60
its compactness 827
827
with some of 0.86
0.86
the available 55
885 1.2 63 875
designs, it outperformed in sub-GHz bands with wide tunability and NB-IoT operation
885 1.2 63 875 0.96
0.96 55
964
964 1.4
1.4 67
67 976
976 1.13
1.13 66
1029
1029 1.8
1.8 70
70 1033
1033 1.42
1.42 66
Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 12 of 14

for better power management, long battery life, and enabled devices for long-distance
communications, etc.

Table 2. Proposed IoT antenna versus related works.

Bands sub-GHz
Ref. Ant. Type Ant. Size mm2 /mm3 NB IoT? %η Planar? Gain (dBi)
GHz Bands?
[2] monopole 0.34λg × 0.23λg 2.2, 3.5, 5.5, 8 No 54–86.3 Yes 0 6.9
3.1–8.5
[3] monopole 0.34λg × 0.23λg No - Yes 0 −0.78
(wide-band)
[4] monopole 0.18λg × 0.36λg 0.915, 2.45 Yes 93, 95 Yes 1 1.9, 3.85
[5] monopole 0.41λg × 0.58λg 2.4 Yes 79 Yes 0 −0.256
[6] patch 0.15λg × 0.61λg 0.82 No - No 1 −2.5
[15] monopole 0.503λg × 0.19λg 0.9, 1.8, 2.3, 2.6 Yes 80–90 Yes 1 3–4
[16] monopole 0.15λg × 0.16λg 0.85, 2.1 No 40–67.2 Yes 1 1–3.2
[17] monopole 0.14λg × 0.1λg × 0.28 0.85, 2.4 No 70, 90 Yes 1 -
[18] PIFA 0.23λg × 0.05λg 0.829, 1.95 No 60–73 No 1 -
[19] PIFA 0.044λg × 0.16λg 0.836, 2.2, 3.6 No 48–83 No 1 0.5–5.2
[20] slot 0.035λg × 0.035λg 1.32–1.49, 1.75–5.2 Yes 45–81 Yes 0 0.5–4.5
[21] PIFA 0.15λg × 0.12λg 0.22, 0.80, 4.7, 4.96 No 60–85 No 2 -
[22] patch 0.75λg × 0.75λg 3.01, 3.83, 4.83, 5.76 No 42–60 Yes 0 1.43–3.06
[23] PIFA 1.55λg × 1.55λg 0.41–0.91, 2.1–3.5 No 10–50 No 1 −6.1, 4.9
[32] slot 1.58λg × 1.94λg 1.82, 1.93, 2.1 No 85–89 No 0 3.2–6.3
[33] slot 1.2λg × 1.33λg 5∼6 No - Yes 0 1.36–1.87
[34] slot 0.65λg × 0.36λg 3.0 No - Yes 0 −0.44–2.97
[35] slot 0.55λg × 0.16λg 5.73–5.97 No 60 No 0 1.28
[36] slot 0.014λg × 0.0425λg 2.45–3 No - No 0 −25
Prop. slot 0.18λg × 0.13λg 0.758–1.034 Yes 54–67 Yes 9 0.86–1.8

In Table 2, the proposed is compact and better than [2–6,15–23], and [32–36] in terms
of antenna size. Although, some work as cited in [4,6,15–19,21,23] covered single sub-
GHz bands but without tuning capability to switch between different bands. Some of
the designs as presented in [4,6,15–19,21,23] are good for covering the sub-GHz band,
but the majority of them are not suitable for NB-IoT operations. Both planar and non-
planar IoT antennas, [2–6,15–23,32–36], are reported in Table 2. None of the antennas as
reported in [2–6,15–23,32–36] have a continuous frequency sweep in the sub-GHz band.
The proposed antenna is the only candidate that can cover sub-GHz bands over a wide
frequency range.

4. Conclusions
A miniaturized meandered loop slot-line antenna that is suitable for IoT applica-
tions was proposed in this work. The presented antenna was optimized using bending,
meandering, and reactively loading the slot methods to operate in the sub-GHz bands.
Recently, sub-GHz IoT technology is becoming more popular in order to enable devices
to achieve long-range communications with low power consumption. A very wideband
tuning, 758 to 1034 MHz, was achieved. The antenna’s reconfigurability was also investi-
gated in this work. A good understanding of the general antenna design guidelines for this
antenna system type was developed. The proposed antenna design was fabricated on a
RO4350 substrate with dimensions of 60 mm × 27 mm. The compact planar structure of
the antenna, its simple biasing circuitry, its ability to operate over a wide band of sub-GHz,
and its narrow-band operation are unique features of this design.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, R.H.; software, R.H., A.M.A. and S.I.A.; validation, R.H.
and A.M.A.; writing—original draft preparation, R.H.; writing—review and editing, R.H., N.H., S.I.A.
and K.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by Researchers
Supporting Project number (RSP2022R474), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Electronics 2022, 11, 1074 13 of 14

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