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.