Effect of ground plane bending on mobile terminal antenna performance

The performance of mobile terminal antennas in the case of a non-planar ground plane is studied. The effects of bending are analysed using computer simulations and a resonator-based equivalent circuit model for improving the understanding of the phenomenon. Results show that bending the ground plane can have a considerable effect on the operation and performance of the antenna. Resistive and reactive changes caused by the bending are accurately modelled with the equivalent circuit, and they can also be used to interpret changes in the quality factor.