Wideband circularly-polarized hexagonal SIW cavity-backed slot antenna with enhanced bandwidth and compact design

This paper presents a novel wideband circularly polarized (CP) cavity-backed slot antenna
based on Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) technology, designed for compact and high-efficiency
performance. The proposed antenna utilizes a hexagonal SIW cavity to simultaneously excite two closely
spaced resonant modes (TM110 and TM210), resulting in enhanced bandwidth for linear polarization (LP).
To achieve circular polarization, a passive, single-layer linear-to-circular polarization converter is integrated
above the cavity, offering a structurally simple and PCB-compatible solution. Unlike conventional CP
designs that rely on complex feeding networks or multilayered structures, this configuration maintains a
planar profile and efficient performance. A fabricated prototype demonstrates strong agreement between
simulation and measurement, achieving a peak gain of 9.2 dBic and a 14% axial ratio (AR) bandwidth. These
results highlight the antenna’s suitability for modern wireless systems requiring wideband CP functionality,
including satellite communications, 5G modules, and compact embedded devices.