FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

BETT 4833 SEMESTER 1 SESI 2021/2022

ANTENNA ENGINEERING
LAB 2: Parametric Optimization and Analysis of Microstrip Patch Antenna

DATE 27/5/2022

NAME OF GROUP MEMBERS & 1. AZIMAH BINTI ZAINAL ABIDIN B081910135

MATRIX NUMBER
2.

3.

4.

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR Dr. Muhammad Inam Abbasi

EXAMINER’S COMMENT VERIFICATION STAMP

TOTAL MARKS
1.0 LAB 2 : Parametric Optimization and Analysis of Microstrip Patch Antenna

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this laboratory work are:

i). To design and optimize a microstrip antenna using CST MWS.
ii). To analyze the performance of the microstrip antenna based on the scattering
parameters (S11.)
iii). To determine the gain bandwidth of a microstrip antenna based on far-field radiation
patterns.

3.0 INTRODUCTION

In any compact design, it is almost always preferable to use planar topology for many
reasons. Let’s think about a single case, imagine that the manufacturer of your cell phone
decided not to use planar circuits; instead, all components of your phone are connected via
cables! how hard your life would be? Antennas are no exception, your phone, WiFi router,
and laptop consist of planar antennas. The question is how good are planar antennas
compared to non-planar ones? The answer is planar antennas are in general worse than non-
planar ones in terms of losses, bandwidth, and efficiency. However, they are the main
requirements in many systems as mentioned above and play an important role in the
optimization of the system.
The most common type of planar antennas used is a printed microstrip patch antenna which
is basically a copper patch printed on a dielectric substrate. The back side of the substrate
consists of the ground plane (either full or partial). There are different feeding mechanism
used for the printed microstrip antennas such as transmission line feed, coaxial feed and
aperture coupled feeds.

3.1 Advantages
The following are the advantages of Micro strip antenna −

 Lightweight
 Low cost
 Ease of installation
 3.2 Disadvantages
The following are the disadvantages of Micro strip antenna −

 Inefficient radiation

 Narrow frequency bandwidth

3.3 Applications
The following are the applications of Micro strip antenna −

 Used in Space craft applications

 Used in Air craft applications

 Used in Low profile antenna applications

4.0 Design Procedure

There are few parameters that need to be calculated in order to design the rectangular patch
antenna. They are the width and length of rectangular patch, effective dielectric permittivity of
the substrate and also the width of transmission line feed. Prior to the calculations of these
parameters we are required to decide the following:

• Resonant frequency, fo depending on the given task and application

• Dielectric constant of the substrate, εr depending on the substrate to be used for antenna design
• Height of the dielectric substrate, h based on the standard for the selected substrates.

4.1 Calculation of the Dimensions of the Rectangular Patch Antenna

Figure 1 shows a simple rectangular patch printed microstrip antenna where L and W are
the length and width of patch respectively while W f is the width of transmission line feed.
Lg and Wg are the length and width of substrate respectively. Ground plane used here is
full ground that means it has same dimensions as the substrate. Below are the simple
 equations that can be used for the calculations of different dimensions of a rectangular
patch antenna.

Wg

Lg

Wf

Figure 1: Dimension of the Rectangular Patch Antenna

Calculation of the Width (W):

𝑐
𝑊=
𝜀𝑟 + 1
2 × 𝑓𝑜 √ 2

Calculation of the Effective Dielectric Constant (εreff):

1
𝜀𝑟 + 1 𝜀𝑟 − 1 ℎ −2
𝜀𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓 = + [1 + 12 ]
2 2 𝑤

Calculation of the Effective Length (Leff):

𝑐
𝐿=
2 × 𝑓0 × √𝜀𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑓

Calculation of the Length Extension (ΔL):

w
( εreff+0.3) ( +0.264 )
ΔL = 0.412h h
w
( εreff−0.258 ) ( +0.8)
h

Calculation of Actual Length of Patch (L):

The actual length is obtained by:

L = Leff – 2 ΔL

Calculation of the Ground Plane Dimensions (Lg and Wg):

 𝑐
Wg= Lg = 2𝑓𝑜

Calculation of the Transmission Line Width (Wf):

For Zo= 50 Ω;

If Wf/h < 2;

Zo εr + 1 εr − 1 0.11
𝐴= √ +( ) (0.23 + ( ))
60 2 εr + 1 εr

𝑊𝑓 8𝑒 𝐴
= 2𝐴
ℎ ( 𝑒 − 2)

If Wf/h > 2;
377𝜋
𝐵=
2𝑍𝑜 √ 𝜀𝑟

𝑊𝑓 2 𝜀 −1 0.61
= [𝐵 − 1 − 𝑙𝑛( 2𝐵 − 1) + 𝑟 {𝑙𝑛( 𝐵 − 1) + 0.39 − }]
ℎ 𝜋 2𝜀𝑟 𝜀𝑟

5.0 Equipment Required

CST Simulation software (CST Microwave studio)

6.0 PROCEDURE
6.1 Design a microstrip patch antenna based on your calculated dimensions in CST
MWS as in Lab 1. Keep in mind that the calculated dimensions are approximate and
may not yield the exact resonant frequency.
6.2 Simulate the antenna using Time domain analysis in CST MWS and obtain the
scattering parameter and far-field radiation pattern results.

6.3 OPTIMIZATION 1: After obtaining the desired resonant frequency, vary the
length of path and obtain the different resonant frequencies. Make sure that the
initial resonant frequency is almost in the middle of all the curves.
6.4 Record the S11 results by transferring the data in Excel and plotting properly with all
the suitable labels and units.
6.5 From the simulated S11 results, obtain the values of maximum return loss, resonant
frequency, and bandwidth of all the curves.
 6.6 Plot the relation between the length and noted parameters (return loss, resonant
frequency, and bandwidth) separately.

6.7 OPTIMIZATION 2: The next step is to observe the effect of width on the
mentioned performance parameters. For this work, keep the length fixed as in Step
6.2 and repeat step 6.3 until step 6.5 by varying width of patch only.
6.8 Plot the relation between the width and noted performance parameters (return loss,
resonant frequency, and bandwidth) separately.

6.9 OPTIMIZATION 3: The next step is to observe the effect of substrate height on
the mentioned performance parameters. For this work, keep the length and width
fixed as in Step 6.2 and repeat step 6.3 until step 6.5 by varying substrate height
only.
6.10 Plot the relation between the substrate height and noted performance parameters
(return loss, resonant frequency, and bandwidth) separately.

6.11 OPTIMIZATION 4: The next step is to observe the effect of substrate permittivity
on the mentioned performance parameters. For this work, keep all other parameters
fixed as in Step 6.2 and repeat step 6.3 until step 6.5 by varying substrate
permittivity only.
6.12 Plot the relation between the substrate permittivity and noted performance
parameters (return loss, resonant frequency, and bandwidth) separately.

6.13 OPTIMIZATION 5: For this optimization, you need to observe the gain of the
designed antenna over the simulated frequency range. Keep the settings as in step 2
and define the Filed Monitors at different frequencies around the resonant
frequencies.
6.14 Obtain the simulated far-field radiation pattern results.
6.15 Note down the gain of the designed antenna at different frequencies and plot Gain
Vs. Frequency curve.

7.0 RESULTS

All the design figures, calculations and results should be clearly shown and plotted as instructed
above.

8.0 DISCUSSIONS & CONCLUSION

Provide a detailed discussion based on the comparative results in the Table and conclude your
optimization results by commenting the effect of different parameters on antenna performance.
Calculation Fr4 (lossy) and 3 GHz
OPTIMIZATION 1

Length Of Patch Return Loss Resonant Frequency Bandwidth (GHz)

(mm) (dB) (GHz)
19.9 -13.889624 3.5 0.1909
20.5 -13.984095 3.4 0.18522
21.6 -13.418331 3.2 0.1752
22.9 -13.312574 3.0 0.16517
23.4 -13.348291 2.9 0.15849
Lp = 19.9, Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Lp=20.5 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Lp=21.6 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Lp=22.9 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Lp=23.4 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Graph

Return Loss (dB) Vs Length of Patch

-13.2
19.5 20 20.5 21 21.5 22 22.5 23 23.5 24
-13.3
-13.4
Return Loss in dB

-13.5
-13.6
-13.7
-13.8
-13.9
-14
-14.1
Length of Patch

Resonant Frequency (GHz) Vs Length of Patch

4
3.5
Resonant Frequency (GHz)

3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
19.5 20 20.5 21 21.5 22 22.5 23 23.5 24
Length of Patch

Bandwidth (GHz) Vs Length Of Patch

0.25

0.2
Bandwidth GHz

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
19.5 20 20.5 21 21.5 22 22.5 23 23.5 24
Length of Patch
OPTIMIZATION 2

Width Patch (mm) Return Loss Resonant Frequency Bandwidth (GHz)

(dB) (GHz)
21.7 -8.2820407 2.9 0.12652
24.7 -9.6068541 2.9 0.14248
25.7 -10.318883 2.9 0.14248
27.7 -11.152482 2.9 0.14248
30.7 -13.300531 2.9 0.14598

Wp=21.71 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Wp=24.7 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Wp=25.7 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Wp=27.7 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Wp=30.71 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Graph

Return Loss (dB) Vs Width Patch

0
0 10 20 30 40
-2

-4
Return Loss (dB)

-6

-8

-10

-12

-14
Width Patch (mm)

Resonant Frequency (GHz) Vs Width Patch

3.5
Resonant Frequency (GHz)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Width of Patch (mm)

Bandwidth (GHz) Vs Width Patch

0.15

0.145
Bandwidth (GHz)

0.14

0.135

0.13

0.125
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Width of PAtch (mm)
OPTIMIZATION 3

Height Substrate Return Loss Resonant Frequency Bandwidth (GHz)

(mm) (dB) (GHz)
0.8 -13.665959 3.0 0.16282
1.2 -12.527183 3.0 0.18097
1.4 -11.950079 3.0 0.19004
1.8 -12.535404 2.9 0.23017
1.9 -12.447829 2.9 0.23966

Hs= 0.8 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Hs= 1.2 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Hs= 1.4 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Hs= 1.8 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Hs= 1.9 Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth
Graph

Return Loss (dB) Vs Height Substrate

-11.8
-12 0 0.5 1 1.5 2

-12.2
-12.4
Return Loss (dB)

-12.6
-12.8
-13
-13.2
-13.4
-13.6
-13.8
Height Substrate (mm)

Resonant Frequency (GHz) Vs Height Substrate

(mm)
3.02
Resonant Frequency (GHz)

3
2.98
2.96
2.94
2.92
2.9
2.88
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Height Substrate (mm)

Bandwidth (GHz) Vs Height Substrate (mm)

0.3

0.25
BAndwidth (GHz)

0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Height Substrate (mm)
OPTIMIZATION 4

Material Substrate Return Loss Resonant Bandwidth

Permittivity (εr) (dB) Frequency (GHz)
(GHz)

G-10 (lossy) 4.8 -14.893759 3.0 0.17688

Taconic RF-45 4.5 -5.0506545 3.0 0.13938

(lossy)

Taconic RF-43 4.3 -5.0143005 3.0 0.13938

(lossy)

G-10(lossy) Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth

Taconic RF-43 (lossy)Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth

Taconic RF-45 (lossy)Return Loss and Resonant Frequency

Bandwidth

Graph

Return Loss (dB) Vs Permittivity

0
4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9
-2

-4
Return Loss (dB)

-6

-8

-10

-12

-14

-16
Permittivity
 Resonant Frequency (GHz) Vs Permittivity
3.5
Resonant Frequency (GHz)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9
Permittivity

Bandwidth (GHz) Vs Permittivity

0.2
0.18
0.16
Bandwidth (GHz)

0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9
Permittivity

OPTIMIZATION 5

Frequency (GHz) Gain (dB)

4 -18.6

5 -17.5

6 -6.49

7 -11.3

8 -11.3
Graph

Gain (dB) Vs Frequency

0
-2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

-4
-6
-8
Gain (dB)

-10
-12
-14
-16
-18
-20
Frequency (GHz)

Discussion

The discussion based on optimization 1 where we have done with design patch antenna in CST
simulation, In the first observation the effect on return loss, resonant frequency and bandwidth
by varying the length of patch is seen in the table that I have created with the increases the value
of length of patch from 19.9mm to 23.4mm will effect the value of bandwidth obviously, while
the return loss slightly same.

From optimization 2 by changing the Width Patch from 21.7GHz until 30.7GHz obviously will
affect the return loss as plot in the graph. While the value of resonant frequency fixed 2.9GHz
and it also varying changing at bandwidth as seen in the table it increases which will effect the
antenna performance as we reached. Therefore it is a general observation that with the changing
width the performance characteristic of patch changes. It thus, increase the operation bandwidth
and it finally account for increased radiation efficiency.

Optimization 3, based on the observation the effect on the return loss and bandwidth by varying
the height of substrate is seen it increases, while the case height of substrate is keep fixed and the
height substrate is varied to observe the variation in the bandwidth. The dimension of antenna is
taken as 0.8, 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 1.9mm and for resonant frequency is 3GHz. The resonant
frequency depends on the value of changing height. At around 1.4mm the resonant frequency
seen decreases. As move towards a higher height of substrate the more broadening of the
bandwidth occurs and this leads to a better return loss. With the height of substrate and more the
performance degraded. In order to close look into results observed the result plotted in the excel.

Optimization 4, with the changing the substrate material the dielectric constant of the substrate is
change. Here we have three different substrate material which is G10 (lossy), Taconic 45 (lossy)
and Taconic 43 (lossy), for every different substrate material we determined the antenna
performance parameter like return loss, resonant frequency and bandwidth. From table and graph
we can see the variation with changing substrate. There also significant changes of return loss as
shown in table. With decreasing the permittivity, the bandwidth decreases but the antenna
dimension fixed as well. From the analysis we can conclude that the use of substrate material
with higher dielectric constant in microstrip patch antenna design, result degradation of antenna
performance.

Optimization 5, with changing the frequency from 4 to 8 GHz the gain in the table show it
increases, there are lots of reasons why gain can drop as frequency increases. The gain is about 0
dB which means this is a fairly low gain antenna. The gain will depend on the match, and if it is
matched at lower frequencies the match may be getting worse as the frequency increases. It may
be that the direction of peak gain changes with frequency, and the gain has been measured in one
direction. However, at frequency 7GHz the value of gain seen decreases and fixed continuously.

Conclusion

As conclusion from this lab we be able to design and optimize a microstrip antenna using CST.
Next we analyze the performance of the microstrip antenna based on the scattering parameter. In
addition we determine the gain bandwidth of microstrip antenna based far-field radiation
patterns.