Graphene is enabling a plethora of applications in a wide range of fields due to its unique electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. Among them, graphene-based plasmonic miniaturized antennas (or shortly named, graphennas) are garnering growing interest in the field of communications. In light of their reduced size, in the micrometric range, and an expected radiation frequency of a few terahertz, graphennas offer means for the implementation of ultra-short-range wireless communications. Motivated by their high radiation frequency and potentially wideband nature, this paper presents a methodology for the time-domain characterization and evaluation of graphennas. The proposed framework is highly vertical, as it aims to build a bridge between technological aspects, antenna design, and communications. Using this approach, qualitative and quantitative analyses of a particular case of graphenna are carried out as a function of two critical design parameters, namely, chemical potential and carrier mobility. The results are then compared to the performance of equivalent metallic antennas. Finally, the suitability of graphennas for ultra-shortrange communications is briefly discussed.

Peer Reviewed