Optically transparent microstrip antennas

Optically transparent antennas have potential applications as receivers/transmitters for wireless automotive applications. They can be incorporated in the car´s window or light panels thus preserving car aesthetics. These antennas could also be incorporated in the displays of wireless communications electronic equipment. To fabricate these antennas, an optically transparent conductor is required with, ideally, conductivity comparable to that of copper and transparency comparable to that of glass. This paper describes a feasibility study carried out on the performance of antennas made from different transparent conductors. These antennas are compared to conventional copper-based antennas and an antenna made from (non-transparent) thin film aluminium. The antenna type chosen was that of a microstrip dipole on a glass substrate. The paper considers the fabrication of microstrip antennas made from in-house and commercially available transparent conductors. Measurements of the antennas´ radiation pattern, input impedance and VSWR coefficient are presented for comparison purposes