An Innovative and Simple Impedance Matching Network Using Stacks of Metasurface Sheets to Suppress the Mismatch Between Antennas and RF Front-End Transceivers Circuits

Abstract

A innovative and simple impedance matching network is presented that is implemented by stacking together metasurface (MTS) sheets. The technique is shown to reduce the mismatch between free-space and RF front-end antenna of a receiver. The MTS based impedance matching network is modeled as a transmission-line loaded with shunt and series capacitances and inductances, respectively. The proposed MTS impedance matching network can be employed to effectively interface the free-space to the antenna of an RF receiver and thereby optimize power absorption. Each MTS impedance matching sheet comprises two-dimensional periodic array of subwavelength microstrip resonator unit-cells that are spaced at a wavelength that is smaller than the frequency of operation. The unit-cells are square shaped patches and embedded with cross-shaped slots that are grounded through a via-hole. The MTS impedance matching network was fabricated using FR-4 substrate. 3D full-wave EM tool by Ansys HFSS™ was used to verify its effectiveness. The proposed MTS impedance matching sheet is relatively easy to implement in practice.