A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

CHAPTER I

PREAMBLE
1.1.INTRODUCTION:
An antenna serves as the transition between the RF front-end circuitry and the radiation and
propagation of electromagnetic waves in free space. Antennas play a critical role in microwave
and other wireless applications systems. Planar oriented antennas, such as micro strip patch and
printed dipole have attracted significant attention among antenna engineers due to the tremendous
benefits they bring to modern wireless systems in comparison to more conventional designs.

Micro strip patch antennas were first proposed in the early 1970s and since then, a lot of activity
in this area of antenna engineering has occurred, probably more than in any other field of antenna
research and development. The micro strip antenna is probably the simplest yet most popular
planar antenna. In its simplest form, the patch antenna can be realized by etching a rectangular
metal pattern on a dielectric substrate. It has several well-known advantages over other antenna
structures, including their low profile and hence conformal nature, light weight, low cost of
production, robust nature, and compatibility with microwave monolithic integrated circuits
(MMICs) and optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs) technologies. Because of these merits,
forms of the micro strip patch antenna have been utilized in many applications such as in satellite
communication, mobile communication base stations, and even mobile communication handset
terminals. Micro strip antenna is one of the common antenna elements in telecommunications and
radar applications. Micro strip antenna has the advantage of light weight, low volume, low
profile, low fabrication cost (can be made of FR4 board), supports multiple polarization, easy
integration with microwave integrated circuits (MICs), capable of multi - frequency operations
and mechanically robust.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

1.2 LITERATURE REVIEW :

Many researchers worked on the principle of the planar array antennas. It all started with the
designing of the micro strip antenna. Any kind of antenna can be used for the construction of array of
antennas. In this project, micro strip patch antenna is chosen. The transmission line of array will
radiate or receive a signal which indirectly contributes to increase the side lobe level and decrease the
antenna efficiency.

Fig 1.1: Different types of antennas which can be used to construct array of antennas.

Gilbert and Morgan studied the optimum design of discrete, directive antenna arrays of arbitrary
geometrical configuration in space. They allowed the excitations and spatial positions of the elements
comprising the array to vary in a random fashion about their nominal values. They concluded that
under certain conditions the expected power pattern of an array turns out to be the power pattern of
the nominal array, plus a background power level which has the same dependence in direction as the
pattern of a single element.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

DAS, proposed multiple-layers printed antennas to overcome the problem of parasitic interference. In

1990s, Researchers published a paper, which described about the new Considerations in the
Design of Micro strip Antennas. In this paper it describes about printed microstrip antennas and
arrays that have limitations in terms of bandwidth and efficiency, all imposed by the very
presence of the dielectric substrate. Micro strip arrays printed on a very thin film and separated
from the ground-plane by foam were successfully designed; however, the fabrication difficulties
associated with the use of foam considerably increases the fabrication cost. In this paper, a new
concept is presented. Rather than using super strata geometry, the printed circuit is etched out
of metal and supported in strategic points by (metallic or non-metallic) posts. The main
motivation for this work was to obtain large micro strip arrays, which exhibit a higher efficiency
than conventional ones, and can be fabricated using inexpensive large quantity production
techniques. However, this technology was also used to develop many new types of micro strip
antennas. Micro strip elements and arrays based on this technology were designed and fabricated
at L, S, and C bands.

Rondinelli advanced the study for planar arrays by deducing the effects of random errors on beam
pointing accuracy and on the average rise in side lobe level within a specified cone around the main
beam. The complexity of the beam pointing problem is such that only a restricted solution was
obtained. However, this complexity is greatly relieved when one's attention is confined to linear
arrays, and Leichter provided a solution for this case.

In the interest of the consumer, the cost of manufacturing and the dimensions of each array will
be kept to a minimum. Therefore, all the micro strip antenna elements will be strip line fed
enabling each element to share a common ground plane. This will allow all the antenna elements
to be fabricated on a single dielectric sheet. The dielectric substrate, separating the ground plane
and the antenna patches, has a dielectric constant (r) of 2.2 and a thickness of 0.05l cm (20 mil).
Single rectangular patches will first be fabricated to determine the proper dimensions for a patch
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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

operating in the Ku band (1.7 GHz - 12.7 GHz). Once the dimensions of a single patch were
determined an 8x8 and 16x16 planar arrays were fabricated using duplicates of the
aforementioned patch. Each array was first tested without a parasitic patch layer.

The E-plane and H-plane patterns were measured using the Far-Field Antenna Testing Range at
NASA Lewis. Using an HP8510 Network Analyser, the parameter versus frequency was
measured and the per cent bandwidth for each array was determined from these measurements
(where S11< l0 dB). Once these tests were made, parasitic patches were introduced for each array
and investigations were made on the effects they have on antenna gain. An estimate of either
arrays antenna gain can be made by comparing to the gain of a standard gain horn.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

CHAPTER II
2.1 INTRODUCTION:
Antennas play a very important role in the field of wireless communications. Some of them are
parabolic reflectors, patch antennas, slot antennas and folded dipole antennas. Each type of
antenna is good in its own properties and usage. We can say antennas are the backbone and
almost everything in the wireless communication without which the word could have not reached
at this age of technology.

Patch antennas play a very significant role in today's world of wireless communication systems.
A microstrip patch antenna is very simple in the construction using a conventional microstrip
fabrication technique. The patch can take any shape but rectangular and circular configurations
are the most commonly used configurations.
These patch antennas are used as simple and for the widest and most demanding applications.
Dual characteristics, circular polarizations, dual frequency operation, frequency agility, broad
band width, feed line flexibility and beam scanning can be easily obtained from these patch
antennas. (Garg R., Bhartia P., Bahl I. J., and Ittipiboon P., 2001)
A microstrip antenna consists of conducting patch on a ground plane separated by dielectric
substrate. Low dielectric constant substrates are generally preferred for maximum radiation, so
we used the dielectric constant substrate 2.17 and substrate thickness 3.175.

2.2 ANTENNA ARRAY:

Microstrip antennas are very versatile and are used, among other things, to synthesize a required
pattern that cannot be achieved with a single element. In addition, they are used to scan the beam
of an antenna system, increase the directivity, and perform various other functions which would
be difficult with any one single element. The elements can be fed by a single line or by multiple

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

lines in a feed network arrangement, so in this paper we used an array to develop the performance
of this antenna.

One of the essential parameters for the design of a rectangular Microstrip patch antenna is the
Frequency of operation ( fo ). The resonant frequency of the antenna must be selected
appropriately.

The Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Systems uses the frequency range from 2.4GHz 2.5GHz. Hence the antenna designed must be able to operate in this frequency range. The
resonant frequency selected for our design is 2.45 GHz.

In our work, we initially selected the value of the substrate parameters relative Dielectric constant
(r) to be 2.17 and the substrate thickness (h) to be 3.175 mm. Then, we evaluated the length, the
width, the input impedance of the patch and the nested fed dimensions. After that, we changed the
dimensions to get better performance of the antenna, i.e. radiation patterns, reflected loss,
efficiency and antenna gain by simulating it using electromagnetic simulator

HFSS(High

Frequency Structure Simulator).

2.3 METHODOLOGY:
First, a simple Inset Feed patch antenna is designed. The same method will be continued to
progress a 2X1 planar array antenna.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

2.4. SAMPLE PROTOTYPES:

Single Inset Feed Patch antenna.

Fig 2.1: Inset Feed Patch Antenna

2X1 planar array:

Fig 2.2: A 2X1 planar patch array prototype.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

2.5. Antenna Design Equations:

The design procedures for the calculation are stated as follows:
Step 1: The width of the micro strip Inset Fed patch antenna is given by

.eqn 2.1

Step 2: Calculation of dielectric constant

..eqn 2.2

Step 3: Calculation of effective length (eff L ):

..eqn 2.3

Step 4: Calculation of actual length of patch ( L )

...eqn 2.4

Step 5: Calculation of the ground plane dimensions

.eqn 2.5 and eqn 2.6

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

2.6. Analysing Method:

Two types of models used for rectangular patch antenna, i.e., the transmission
model and the cavity model.

In this, Transmission line model is used. It depicts the microstrip antenna by two
slots of W and height h separated by transmission line of length L.

The microstrip is a non-homogeneous of two dielectrics, typically, substrate and

the air. Most of the electric field lines reside some part in the air and rest in the
substrate.

This results that transmission line does not support TEM mode, as phase velocities
would be different in substrate and air.

So dominant mode of propagation will be the quasi-TEM mode.

An effective dielectric constant must be obtained to account for wave propagation

in the line and fringing.

2.7. PROCEDURE:
Antenna is designed in HFSS software using the following specification.
a) Single Inset-Fed Patch Antenna Design:

Solution Frequency used: 2.45 GHz.

Patch Dimension along x: 48.63 mm.

Patch Dimension along y: 39.72 mm.

Substrate thickness: 3.175 mm.

Substrate dimension along x: 92 mm.

Substrate dimension along y: 120.47 mm.

Inset distance: 12.109 mm.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

Inset gap: 4.934 mm.

Feed Width: 9.868 mm.

Feed Length: 37.508 mm.

Input Resistance: 50 ohm.

b) 2X1 Inset-Fed Patch Array Design:

Design a single Inset-fed Patch antenna with the specification mentioned with 50
ohms feed line.

Simulate and note down the results using HFSS.

Duplicate the same Inset-fed patch antenna along the axis.

Draw the 50 ohm Feed rectangle.

Set 50 ohm feed line Z1 = 50 ohms, which splits into two 100ohms ones, Z2 = 100
ohms.

Then solve for impedance of quarter-wave transformer, Zc. Setting Z c sqrt( Z 1 Z 2) ,

impedance of quarter-wave transformer.

Solve for the width, Wc of quarter- wave transformer.

This yields Zc = 70 ohms.

After that, width of the microstrip line at Zc = 70 is, Wc = 2.81689 mm.

Solving for the length of quarter-wave transformer by dividing the effective

wavelength lambda reff, by four. Lambda reff = 122.44mm.

The Length of quarter-wave transformer is, lambda reff/4 = 30.61 mm.

Design is simulated and results will be noted down.

Compare the gain and return loss of single Inset-Fed patch antenna with 2X1 InsetFed Patch array.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

2.8. Feeding Techniques Review

There are three common structures that are used to feed planar printed antennas. These are coaxial
probe feeds, micro strip line feeds, and aperture coupled feeds. The coaxial fed structure is often
used because of ease of matching its characteristic impedance to that of the antenna; and as well as the
parasitic radiation from the feed network tends to be insignificant. Compared to probe feeds, micro
strip line-fed structures are more suitable due to ease of fabrication and lower costs, but serious
drawback of this feed structure is the strong parasitic radiation. The aperture coupled structure has all
of the advantages of the former two structures, and isolates the radiation from the feed network,
thereby leaving the main antenna radiation uncontaminated. In our design we have used Inset feed.

2.9. Result Obtained

Successful designing and simulation is done.
Substrate Used: Rogerss RT duroid 5880, thickness about 3.175 mm.
Frequency designed: 2.45 GHz
HFSS simulation results are shown in CHAPTER III.

Antenna Type

Return Loss (S11)

Gain (db)

Side lobes (db)

Single Inset-Fed

-9.8

3.8584

No side lobes.

2X1 Inset-Fed Array

-11.8

7.2481

1.856

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

CHAPTER III

HFSS DESIGN AND SIMULATED OUTPUTS:

3.1.Single Microstrip Inset-Fed Antenna Design:

Fig 3.1: Design of single Inset-Fed Patch antenna in HFSS tool.

3.2.Single Inset-Fed Patch return loss measured :

Fig 3.2: Return loss of single Inset-fed antenna

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

3.3.Single Inset-Fed Patch Radiation Pattern:

Fig 3.3: Radiation patter of single inset-fed patch.

3.4. Single Inset-Fed Patch 3D Polar Plot:

Fig 3.4: 3D polar plot of single inset-fed patch.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

3.5.

2X1 Inset-Fed Patch Array Design.

Fig 3.5: Design of single 2X1 Inset-Fed Patch Array in HFSS tool.

3.6.

2X1 Inset-Fed Patch return loss measured.

Fig 3.6: Return loss of single Inset-fed antenna.

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A 2X1 Inset-Feed Array

3.7.

2X1 Inset-Fed Patch 3D Polar Plot.

Fig 3.7.3D Polar Plot of 2X1 patch array.

3.8.

2X1 Inset-Fed Patch Radiation Pattern.

Fig 3.8.Radiation patter of 2X1 patch array.

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CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION
1) Wide bandwidth of microstrip patch antenna can be achieved by

Increasing the substrate thickness.

Optimizing impedance matching.

Reducing the substrate effective permittivity.

2) In order to simplify analysis and performance prediction, the patch is generally square, rectangular,
circular, triangular, and elliptical or some other common shape; In addition other shapes are complex
to analysis and need heavy numerical computations.
3) Microstrip antennas have wide beam that make it suitable in building antenna.
4) Inset fed rectangular microstrip patch array antenna having a heavy number of advantages that
make it designers choice through small size, light weight, approximately using in all wireless
application fields.

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Allied S.. Maintenance Manual, CAS-81 Collision Avoidance System, Ref. No. 34-45-00.
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Chatterjee, D. (2006). Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society Journal. ISSN 10544887, 21(3).
Garg, R., Bhartia, P., Bahl, I. J., & Ittipiboon, P. (2001). Microstrip Antenna Design
Handbook. Artech House,Boston, London.
Huque, T. I., Hossain, K., Islam, S., & Chowdhury, A. (2011). Design and Performance
Analysis of Microstrip Array Antennas With Optimum Parameters For X-band Applications.
International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 2(4), 81-87.
Honeywell (2000). Collision Avoidance system Users Manual. ACS- 5059, Revision 5.
James, & Hall. Handbook of Microstrip Antennas. ISBN 0-86341-150-9.
Journal of Microwaves and Optoelectronics, 2003, 3(3).
Olaimat, M. (2010). Design and analysis of triangular microstrip patch antennas for wireless
communication systems. Master Thesis, Jordan University of Science and Technology.
Pues, H., & Van de Capelle, A. (1984). Accurate transmission line model for the rectangular
microstrip antenna. IEE Proceedings, 131(6), 334-340
Pozar, D. M. (1992). Microstrip Antennas. IEEE, 80(1).
Stutzman, W. L. (1998). Estimating directivity and gain of antennas. IEEE, Antennas and
Propagation Magazine, 40(4), 11.

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