Optical Transparent Antenna Array Integrated With Solar Cell
Baoliang Xi, Xianling Liang, Qian Chen, Kun Wang, Junping Geng, Ronghong Jin
Abstract
This letter presents an optical transparent antenna array integrated with solar cell. Metal-meshed structure is used in the transparent antenna array, which achieves a balance between radiation efficiency and optical transparency. The meshed patches have equidistant distribution in the array and are fed by coaxial probes. A meshed ground, which has the same grid size as the meshed patch, is introduced and aligned with the patch. Cheap coating technology is utilized in printing silver-meshed patch and ground on the two surfaces of a glass substrate. A commercial monocrystalline silicon solar cell is closely assembled under the transparent antenna array. The proposed antenna array operates from 8.51 to 9.10 GHz (VSWR ≤ 2) with low cross-polarization levels, and obtains an 88% optical transparency. The transparent antenna array achieves a good radiation performance with little effect on solar photovoltaic generation.