LAUSR

In this article, a rugged linear array is proposed for covering both the LTE and 5G bands with an intermediate gain. The antenna is composed of a driven element, a set of directors, and a set of reflectors, where the excited element is a wideband high-efficiency electromagnetic structure (WHEMS) and the parasitic elements consist of metal rods. To achieve a rugged design, similar to the classic Yagi antenna, all of the elements should be conductively connected, so that it can be welded. The weldable mechanism is started on the driven radiating element. In addition, a balun is introduced in the antenna to reduce the influence of unbalanced common-mode currents. A wind resistance analysis is also presented, where the drag force of the proposed antenna is approximately a quarter of that for an antenna with a metal plate. The antenna exhibits a gain of 10.8–13.3 dBi for a 78% fractional bandwidth (1.7–3.7 GHz), which is a sevenfold increase from that of the Yagi antenna, without sacrificing the gain or rugged design. The proposed antenna has the advantages of a simple feeding arrangement, low cost, lightweight, low-wind resistance, and rugged structure; and is suitable for all-weather large-scale Internet-of-Things (IoT) deployment at a rural site or in a harsh networking environment.