Improving the performance properties of a dipole element closely spaced to a PEC ground plane

A multiple-arm, folded element design is presented that allows a dipole to exhibit a matched impedance and high radiation efficiency when it is very closely spaced (<0.05/spl lambda/) to a perfect electric conductor (PEC) ground plane. Impedance matching and a balanced feed are implemented within the antenna structure so that an external matching network and balun are not required. A dipole element design that exhibits self-resonance, a 46 ohm feed point resistance and a radiation efficiency in excess of 90% is described for a spacing of 0.023/spl lambda/ above a PEC ground plane.