A broadband printed helix-type antenna for wireless communications at high frequencies

A broadband printed helix-type antenna element is presented in this paper for its operation at high frequencies. This helix-type antenna is first equivalently modeled by a series of horizontal arcs which are then connected by vertical wires. This antenna element can be realized by printed circuit technologies by printing its arcs on the interfaces of a multi-layer substrate and connecting the arcs' terminals by using conducting via. Thus the manufacture cost may be significantly reduced for mass production. Numerical and experimental studies indicate that this antenna may retain the characteristics of broadband operational frequencies as exhibited in the regular helix antenna with reasonably well gains.