Papers, book chapters and talks, 1964 to the present

Small and embedded antennas

Antennas for handsets, laptops, IoT devices, GNSS and mobile TV receivers: dielectric and balanced antennas, multiband loop‑notch designs and the RF platform around them.

1. 2019
   Practical application of small antennas in hardware platformsIET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, Vol. 13, No. 11, Sep. 2019, pp. 1883–1888. Based on the LAPC 2017 invited talk below.IET Digital Library
2. 2019
   Multiband hybrid loop‑notch antennasIET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, Vol. 13, No. 10, Aug. 2019, pp. 1620–1625. An extended version of the LAPC 2017 paper below.IET Digital Library
3. 2018
   The art and science of antennas for cellular services and the IoTCambridge Wireless Journal, Spring 2018, pp. 28–33. Written for the non‑specialist reader.PDF · 7.3 MB
4. 2017
   Practical applications of small antennas in hardware platformsInvited talk, Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC 2017), 13–14 Nov. 2017.Slides · 14.9 MB
5. 2017
   Multiband hybrid loop‑notch antennasLoughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC 2017), 13–14 Nov. 2017.PDF · 419 kB DOI
6. 2011
   Handset and consumer platform RF design and antennasContribution to the Spectral Efficiency discussion, Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Feb. 2011.Slides · 516 kB
7. 2010
   Handset antennas: the next five yearsInvited paper, Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC 2010), 8–9 Nov. 2010.PDF · 513 kB Slides · 1.1 MB DOI
8. 2009
   Tuneable antennas for UHF‑TV receptionWith D. Iellici and V.K. Nahar. IET Colloquium on Adaptable and Tunable Antenna Technology for Handsets and Mobile Computing Products, London, 22 Oct. 2009.Slides · 6.5 MB
9. 2009
   Small antennas for the reception of future mobile television servicesIEEE International Workshop on Antenna Technology (iWAT 2009), Santa Barbara CA, 2–4 Mar. 2009.PDF · 258 kB DOI
10. 2007
    Balanced antennas for GPS and Galileo receiversWith D. Iellici, S.P. Kingsley and S. Raffaelli. Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC 2007), Apr. 2007, pp. 321–324.PDF · 3.5 MB DOI
11. 2007
    Embedding antennas in user equipmentsIEEE Wireless Communications & Networking Conference (WCNC 2007), Hong Kong, Mar. 2007, pp. 2334–2337.PDF · 356 kB DOI
12. 2007
    Dual‑band dielectric antenna for WLAN applicationsWith Z. Wang, S. Kamalraj, C.C. Chiau, X. Chen and S.P. Kingsley. IEEE iWAT 2007, pp. 151–154.PDF · 3.5 MB DOI
13. 2006
    Optimisation of a broadband dielectric‑loaded printed antennaWith Z. Wang, C.C. Chiau, X. Chen and S.P. Kingsley. Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Vol. 48, No. 8, 2006, pp. 1519–1522.DOI
14. 2006
    A high‑performance five‑band handset antenna using a dielectric feedWith D. Iellici and R. Schlub. International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation (ISAP 2006), Singapore, Nov. 2006.PDF · 176 kB
15. 2006
    Antenna and radio integration for mobile platformsWith S.P. Kingsley, J.M. Ide, D. Iellici and S.G. O'Keefe. Antenna Systems Conference, Washington DC, Sep. 2006.PDF · 2.4 MB
16. 2006
    A miniature broadband dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) operating at 2.4 GHzWith Z. Wang, C.C. Chiau, X. Chen and S.P. Kingsley. IEEE iWAT 2006, pp. 104–107.PDF · 1.2 MB DOI
17. 2006
    A multi‑band hybrid balanced antennaWith S.P. Kingsley, J.M. Ide, S.A. Saario, R.W. Schlub and S.G. O'Keefe. IEEE iWAT 2006.PDF · 510 kB DOI
18. 2006
    Improving the RF performance of clamshell handsetsIEEE International Workshop on Antenna Technology (iWAT 2006), White Plains NY, Mar. 2006, pp. 265–268. This was also the basis of an invited oral presentation at LAPC 2006.PDF · 438 kB DOI
19. 2005
    Broadband dielectric loaded trapezoidal planar antennaWith Z. Wang, C.C. Chiau, X. Chen, S.P. Kingsley and S.C. Puckey. Asia‑Pacific Microwave Conference (APMC 2005), Dec. 2005.PDF · 1.5 MB DOI
20. 2005
    Optimisation of a broadband dielectric antennaPoster, with Z. Wang, C.C. Chiau, X. Chen, S.P. Kingsley and S.C. Puckey. LAPC 2005, Loughborough, 4–6 Apr. 2005.PDF · 916 kB
21. 2005
    Study and optimisation of a broadband dielectric antennaWith Z. Wang, C.C. Chiau, X. Chen, S.P. Kingsley, S.C. Puckey and J.R. Thorpe. IEEE iWAT 2005, pp. 125–128.PDF · 1.2 MB DOI
22. 2004
    A dual‑band hybrid dielectric antenna for laptop computersWith V. Nahar, S.P. Kingsley, S.Q. Zhang and S. Krupa. IEEE AP‑S International Symposium, Monterey, June 2004.PDF · 232 kB DOI
23. 2004
    A hybrid ceramic quadband antenna for handset applicationsWith S.P. Kingsley, D. Iellici, S.G. O'Keefe, P.J. Ollitervo and S.Q. Zhang. IEEE 6th Circuits & Systems Symposium on Emerging Technologies, Shanghai, 2004, pp. 773–774.PDF · 279 kB DOI
24. 2003
    Advancements in antennas: the development of dielectric antenna technologyWith S.P. Kingsley, D. Iellici, J.W. Kingsley, S.G. O'Keefe and T.J. Palmer. Keynote paper, Antenna Systems 2003, Denver CO, Oct. 2003.PDF · 875 kB

MIMO and multi‑antenna systems

Applying multiple‑antenna techniques to real user devices and consumer platforms.

1. 2010
   MIMO for consumer platforms and handsetsDigital Communications Knowledge Transfer Network, Reading, Sep. 2010.Slides · 205 kB
2. 2005
   Antennas for MIMO systemsNext Generation Wireless Networks Workshop, University of Edinburgh, June 2005.
3. 2005
   Antennas for MIMO systemsLoughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC 2005), 4–6 Apr. 2005.Slides · 1.7 MB
4. 2004
   Antenna systems for MIMO user terminalsAntenova Ltd technical paper, Cambridge, July 2004.PDF · 89 kB

Base‑station, mobile‑radio and radio‑relay antennas

Antennas for cellular networks from 2G to 3G, polarisation diversity, pattern shaping, coverage planning, telepoint and radio‑relay systems.

1. 2007
   Design and testing of a compact ‘semi‑smart’ base station antenna in cellular networksWith Y. Alfadhl, X. Chen and C. Parini. IEEE iWAT 2007, pp. 451–454.PDF · 4.2 MB DOI
2. 2006
   Development of semi‑smart antenna technologyWith C. Parini, X. Chen, J. Bigham, Y. Alfadhl, L. Samuel and L. Ho. Workshop presentation and final report, Ofcom (UK) contract 830000081, June 2006.
3. 2003
   Additional antenna technology for 3G network optimisationWorld Markets Research Centre: Business Briefing, 2003.PDF · 175 kB
4. 2002
   Options for shaping the elevation radiation pattern of base station antennasTechnical note, published on this website 2002.PDF · 133 kB
5. 2002
   Base station antennas for 3G networksWorld Markets Research Centre: Business Briefing, 2002.PDF · 101 kB
6. 2000
   The effect of imperfect antenna cross‑polar performance on the diversity gain of a dual‑polarized receiving systemMicrowave Journal, Vol. 43, No. 4, Apr. 2000, pp. 84–94.PDF · 1.9 MB
7. 2000
   Antenna options for 3G systems in the 2 GHz bandBase Station, Earth Station, Jan./Feb. 2000.PDF · 84 kB
8. 2000
   Polarization‑diversity antennas for compact base stationsMicrowave Journal, Vol. 43, No. 1, Jan. 2000, pp. 76–88.PDF · 901 kB
9. 1999
   Antennas for dual‑band networksDual Band Network Conference, IIR Ltd, London, 25–26 Oct. 1999.PDF · 27 kB
10. 1996
    Base station antenna designWireless Design & Development (USA), June 1996.PDF · 562 kB
11. 1991
    Choosing and siting antennas for telepoint servicesInternational Broadcasting Systems & Operation, Apr. 1991, pp. 34–37.
12. 1991
    Antenna design for mobile radio systems11th Conference for Telecommunications Managers and Engineers of the Fuel and Power Industries, JRC, Harrogate, 9–11 Sep. 1991.PDF · 218 kB
13. 1990
    Choosing and siting antennas for telepoint servicesLines of Communication, Sep. 1990.PDF · 431 kB
14. 1989
    Antennas for new mobile radio servicesSingle Market Communications Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, Jul. 1989.PDF · 1.1 MB
15. 1987
    Broadband antennas for VHF/UHF radio relay systems5th International Conference on Antennas & Propagation (ICAP 87), IEE Conference Publication 274, Part 1, pp. 277–280.PDF · 279 kB
16. 1985
    Achieving coverage objectivesGlobal Communications, 4th quarter 1985.PDF · 414 kB
17. 1985
    Achieving the coverageConference of the Mobile Radio Users' Association, Wadham College, Oxford, 27–28 Mar. 1985.PDF · 108 kB
18. 1982
    New antennas for the 1.5 GHz bandIEE Electronics & Power, June 1982, pp. 451–453.PDF · 510 kB DOI

HF and military communications antennas

HF receiving arrays and loops, direction‑finding and null‑steering arrays, NVIS and transportable antennas, and defence antenna technology.

1. 1989
   A new generation of lightweight transportable antennasNordic Shortwave Conference, Farö, Sweden, 15–17 Aug. 1989, pp. 163–171.PDF · 221 kB
2. 1988
   A wideband transportable antenna for NVIS linksWith B.R. Phillips. 4th International Conference on HF Radio Systems and Techniques, London, 11–14 Apr. 1988, IEE Conference Publication 284, pp. 156–158.
3. 1988
   An HF direction‑finding and null‑steering system employing a four‑element circular arrayWith M. Cvetkovic, D.E.N. Davies and H.D. Griffiths. 4th International Conference on HF Radio Systems and Techniques, London, 1988, IEE Conference Publication 284, pp. 221–225.
4. 1985
   An experimental HF circular array with direction‑finding and null‑steering capabilitiesWith D.E.N. Davies and N. Karavassilis. International Conference on Antennas & Propagation, Warwick, 1985.
5. 1985
   An active circular HF arrayWith D.E.N. Davies and N. Karavassilis. International Conference on HF Communication Systems and Techniques, London, 1985, IEE Conference Publication 245, pp. 99–101.
6. c.
   1982
   Future trends in defence antenna technologyIslamic Defence Review, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 28–31 (early 1980s; exact year not known).PDF · 406 kB
7. 1982
   Antennas for tactical radio systemsCommunications International, Vol. 9, No. 10, Oct. 1982.PDF · 522 kB
8. 1980
   The right antenna for the jobCommunications International, Mar. 1980.PDF · 1.8 MB
9. 1978
   Noise and intermodulation in a practical active antenna systemConference on Communications Equipment and Systems (Communications 78), Birmingham, 4–7 Apr. 1978, IEE Conference Publication 162. Reproduced here with corrections.PDF · 291 kB
10. 1978
    A new high‑performance HF receiving arrayInternational Conference on Antennas & Propagation, London, 1978, IEE Conference Publication 169, Part 1, pp. 80–82.PDF · 38 kB
11. 1975
    Loop antennas for HF receptionCommunications International, Jul./Aug. 1975, pp. 20–23.
12. 1974
    Loop antennas for HF receptionCommunications 74 Conference, Brighton, 5 June 1974, paper 5.3.PDF · 116 kB

Broadcasting, MF and LF antennas

MF and LF broadcast antenna systems and a long‑distance VHF television link.

1. 2014
   Reducing the area of potentially hazardous field strength close to an LF Tee antenna: a practical case studyWith A. Cran. Loughborough Antennas & Propagation Conference (LAPC 2014), 10–11 Nov. 2014, p. 744.PDF · 400 kB
2. 1981
   Aerial overview, part 2: MF antenna practicalitiesInternational Broadcasting Systems & Operation, 1981.PDF · 3.7 MB
3. 1981
   Aerial overview, part 1: MF antenna optionsInternational Broadcasting Systems & Operation, Feb. 1981, pp. 12–14.PDF · 4.3 MB
4. 1981
   MF antennas for the eightiesInternational Broadcast Engineer, Jan. 1981, pp. 42–44.PDF · 1.6 MB
5. 1975
   Antenna designElectronics Weekly, 21 May 1975.PDF · 619 kB
6. 1968
   A receiving aerial for a long‑distance VHF television linkInternational Broadcasting Convention, London, 1968, IEE Conference Publication 46, Part 1, pp. 5.7.1–5.7.4.PDF · 8 kB

Measurement, materials and microwave antennas

Antenna gain and balun measurements, dielectric characterisation of substrate materials, the 1–2‑GHz band and RF‑aligned carbon nanotube textiles.

1. 2022
   Highly oriented direct‑spun carbon nanotube textiles aligned by in situ radio‑frequency fieldsWith L. Issman, P.A. Kloza, J. Terrones Portas, A. Pendashteh, M. Pick, J.J. Vilatela, J.A. Elliott and A. Boies. ACS Nano, May 2022.ACS Nano
2. 2005
   The use of baluns for measurements on antennas mounted on small groundplanesWith S.A. Saario. IEEE iWAT 2005, pp. 266–269.PDF · 181 kB DOI
3. 2004
   Non‑destructive characterization for dielectric loss of low permittivity substrate materialsWith X. Fang, D. Linton and C. Walker. Measurement Science and Technology, Vol. 15, No. 4, 2004, pp. 747–754.DOI
4. 2004
   Dielectric constant characterization using a numerical method for the microstrip ring resonatorWith X. Fang, D. Linton and C. Walker. Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2004, pp. 14–17.DOI
5. 2004
   A tunable split‑resonator method for nondestructive permittivity characterizationWith X. Fang, D. Linton and C. Walker. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation & Measurement, Vol. 53, No. 6, Dec. 2004, pp. 1473–1478.PDF · 619 kB DOI
6. 2004
   Characterization of a new, low cost composite substrate materialWith X. Fang, D. Linton, C. Walker, M. Lee and I. Partridge. 34th European Microwave Conference, Amsterdam, Oct. 2004, pp. 1221–1224.PDF · 648 kB
7. 2003
   The operation and design of balunsPublished on this website 2003; revised and extended 2006 and 2015. The most frequently downloaded paper on this site.PDF · 306 kB
8. 1990
   Antenna design in the band 1–2 GHzIEE Colloquium on Materials and Manufacturing Processes for Antennas, London, 29 Nov. 1990, pp. 3/1–3/6.PDF · 12 kB
9. 1973
   Lower cost antennas for the higher microwave bandsMicrowave 73 Conference, London, 19–21 June 1973, pp. 53–57.PDF · 59 kB
10. 1964
    An improved method of measuring aerial gainWith B. Sykes. Industrial Electronics, Jul. 1964, pp. 345–347.PDF · 4.2 MB

Space‑based solar power

Recent work with Queen Mary University of London on very large antenna arrays for power beaming.

1. 2025
   A quad‑spiral element with a reconfigurable direction of radiation for wide‑angle steerable vector phased arrayWith N. Nasser, W. Dang, S. Nourinovin, J. Zhang, C. Shu, A.K. Brown and X. Chen. 19th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2025), Stockholm.DOI
2. 2024
   A digital beamforming antenna for space based solar power transmitting arrayWith L. Qian, J. Zhang, C. Shu, N. Nasser and X. Chen. 18th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2024), Glasgow.DOI
3. 2024
   An overview of gigascale antenna arrays and electromagnetics for space based solar powerWith T. Pelham, X. Chen, C. Parini and A. Brown. 18th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2024), Glasgow.PDF · 829 kB DOI

Books and book chapters

1. 2012
   Mobile terminal GNSS antennasChapter 8 of Antennas for Global Navigation Satellite Systems, with X. Chen, C. Parini, Y. Yao and M. Ur Rehman. John Wiley, 2012.Wiley
2. 2009
   Base‑station antennas for mobile radio systemsChapter in Antennas for Fixed Base‑Stations in Wireless Communications, Z.N. Chen and K.M. Luk (eds.), McGraw‑Hill, 2009. ISBN 978‑0‑07‑161288‑3.
3. 2007
   HF antennas; VHF/UHF antennas for communications and broadcastingChapters in Antenna Engineering Handbook, 4th ed., J.L. Volakis (ed.), McGraw‑Hill, 2007. ISBN 978‑0‑07‑147574‑7.
4. 2007
   Handset antennasChapter 2 of Antennas for Portable Devices, Z.N. Chen (ed.), John Wiley, 2007. ISBN 978‑0‑470‑03073‑8.Wiley
5. 1993
   VHF and UHF communications antennasChapter 24 of Antenna Engineering Handbook, 3rd ed., R.C. Johnson (ed.), McGraw‑Hill, 1993.
6. 1984
   VHF and UHF communications antennasChapter 24 of Antenna Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed., H. Jasik and R.C. Johnson (eds.), McGraw‑Hill, 1984.

Safety, reliability and professional practice

RF radiation hazards, lightning protection, antenna reliability, and two talks on presenting and selling engineering ideas.

1. 2015
   Making your point … making your mark: presentation design for us allFirst published on this website, Jan. 2015. Used in several companies; of interest to students and anyone who wants to make more effective presentations.PDF · 841 kB PowerPoint show
2. 2008
   Selling our research ideas: engineers in a wider contextInvited keynote, Research Open Day, Department of Electronic Engineering, Queen Mary University of London, Apr. 2008.Slides · 3.7 MB
3. 2004
   RADHAZ: the unmentionable hazard?Electronics World, Oct. 2004.PDF · 86 kB
4. 2003
   The protection of radio installations against damage by lightningTechnical memorandum, published on this website 2003; extended and updated 2015.PDF · 507 kB
5. 1981
   Antenna reliability: the non‑optional extraCATC Electronics News, Vol. 20, No. 2, Summer 1981, pp. 10–12.PDF · 873 kB