Experiment No.

1x4 Linear Rectangular Microstrip Patch Array Antenna

Objectives: To study the impedance characteristics and radiation pattern behavior of a 1x4 linear
array using rectangular microstrip patch antennas fed using a coaxial probe feed.

Theory and Design Equations: Rectangular patch is by far the most widely used configuration
for designing an array. The aim here is to design a 1x4 linear array, as shown in Figure 1, using
rectangular microstrip patches.
The designed antenna is a 1x4 array. The first step in the design is to specify the
dimensions of a single microstrip patch antenna. The patch conductor can be assumed at any
shape, but generally simple geometries are used, and this simplifies the analysis and performance
prediction. Here, the half-wavelength rectangular patch element is chosen as the array element
(as commonly used in microstrip antennas). Its characteristic parameters are the length ‘L’ and
width ‘W’ and a substrate of thickness ‘h’. The thickness of the dielectric substrate and its
relative permittivity are varied and the effects on the radiation pattern are analyzed. The radiation
pattern also varies with the type of feed used and also depends on the feed position. As the
dimension of the patch is finite along the length and width, the fields at the edges of the patch
undergo fringing. The amount of fringing is a function of the dimension of the patch and the
height of the substrate. For principle E-plane (xy-plane), fringing is a function of the ratio of the
length L and height h of the substrate and the dielectric constant €r of the substrate.

Port1

Figure 1: Geometry of the 1x4 linear array of rectangular patch antennas using a coaxial feed
probe.

To meet the initial design requirements (operating frequency = 2.4 GHz) various analytical
approximate approaches may be used. Here, the calculations are based on the design equations

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given below. Although not critical, the width w of the radiating edge is specified first. For the
design of microstrip rectangular patch the dielectric constant of the substrate Єr, the resonant
frequency fr and the height h of the substrate are generally pre-selected. The design
procedure/equations are as follows:

1) Calculate the width W of the patch using the following formula:

1 2 v 2
W = = o
2 f r μ oε o ε r +1 2 f r ε r +1

2) Determine the effective dielectric constant of the microstrip substrate using the
expression:
ε +1 ε −1
ε eff = r2 + r2 [1 + 12(h / W )]−1/ 2
3) Calculate the extension of the length ΔL, due to field fringing, using the following
formula:
(ε r + 0.3)⎛⎜ W + 0.264 ⎞⎟
ΔL ⎝h ⎠
= 0.412
h
(ε r − 0.258)⎛⎜ W + 0.8 ⎞⎟
⎝h ⎠

4) The actual geometric length is calculated using the formula:

1
L= − 2ΔL
2 f r ε eff μ o ε o

Note: Above formulas can be found in “Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design” 3rd edition book
by C.A. Balanis, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Simulation Tools and Procedure to use: The antenna was simulated using Ansoft Designer [2].
Satisfactory results can also be obtained using other simulation tools such as PCAAD. Based on
the availability, Matlab™ code can also be written by the students to compute the dimensions,
compute impedance parameters, and radiation patterns. Important steps for simulating this
antenna using the Ansoft Designer are given below:

ƒ Ansoft Designer is a full wave analysis Moment Method (MoM) program, which
employs the mixed-potential integral equation (MPIE) method.
ƒ It is very accurate, very versatile and can treat single elements, finite and infinite arrays,
stacked elements, and arbitrarily shaped elements and couplings.
ƒ First the substrate material with appropriate dielectric constant εr is selected.
ƒ In the second step, under the “Layers” sub-section, required layers along with the
thickness h for the antenna are defined in their respective order. (Trace/patch layer,
dielectric/foam h = 1.58mm, and ground/metallized layer in this case)
ƒ Next the patch layer with the calculated dimensions is drawn using the drawing tools.

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 ƒ For the feed, using “Via” first a hole is created and then at the via, the upper layer and
lower layers are selected accordingly for 50Ω coaxial excitation.
ƒ Lastly the solution set up is done by assigning the fixed mesh frequency and the discrete
frequency sweep. Then the simulation is run and results are obtained after post-
processing.

Simulation result for Foam substrate design: The simulated results for the 1x4 linear array of
rectangular patch antennas on the foam substrate are given below:

1) Return Loss vs. Frequency: Figure 2 shows the plot for scattering parameter (S11 - Return
loss) for the 1x4 linear array of rectangular microstrip patch antennas using coaxial feed
probe. The performance of the antenna is considered good for S11 better than -10dB. The
bandwidth is from 2.385 to 2.431 GHz which is 2%.

Figure 2: Return loss vs frequency plot for 1x4 linear array of rectangular microstrip patch
antennas using coaxial feed probe.

2) Impedance Plot on Smith Chart: Figure 3 is a Smith chart which shows the impedance
matching characteristics of the antenna. From the figure it is observed that the impedance
curve passes through the center of the chart indicating a good match at around 2.4 GHz
frequency.

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 Figure 3: Smith Chart plot for the impedance performance for 1x4 linear array of
rectangular microstrip patch antennas using coaxial feed probe.

3) Radiation Pattern on Polar Plot: Figure 4 shows the radiation pattern at 2.4 GHz of the
antenna. A very good directional pattern is obtained and the effect of cross polarization is also
very low.

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 Co-polarization Cross-polarization
components components

Figure 4: Gain radiation patterns on a polar plot for 1x4 linear array of rectangular
microstrip patch antennas using coaxial feed probe at 2.4 GHz.

4) Gain radiation pattern on rectangular plot: Figure 5 shows the gain plot at 2.4 GHz for
the mentioned antenna. It is observed that a peak gain of 16 dBi is obtained at the resonant
frequency. It can also be shown from this plot that the effect of cross polarization is low.

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Figure 5: Gain radiation pattern on a rectangular plot 2x2 Planar array of rectangular microstrip
patch antennas using corporate feed network at 2.4 GHz

Design dimensions for the proposed antenna: For fabricating the prototype antenna, a popular
frequency of interest, 2.4GHz is selected, which is the frequency where Bluetooth wireless
communication applications lies. This frequency also offers a reasonable design dimensions
which can be easily fabricated by hand and simple tools. The proposed 1x4 corporate feed
network along with rectangular microstrip radiating patches is shown in Figure 1. The dielectric
substrate for the array is foam (thickness = 3.2mm). The rectangular microstrip radiating
element’s length and radiating edge width are L = 59 mm and W = 62 mm. These specifications
are chosen such that they suppress the cross polarization levels. It is a uniform linear array. The
design frequency for the array is 2.4 GHz. The 50 ohm coaxial feed probe is used for feeding the
array.
The design makes use of quarter wave transformers for impedance matching. The length
and the width of the quarter wave transformers were calculated using the estimator in the Ansoft
Designer v.3. The inter element spacing between the array elements is dx=82mm (which is equal
to 0.675 times the wavelength at 2.4 GHz). The simulations were carried out using Ansoft
Designer V.3 [2].

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Fabrication and Methodology: Foam is used for the fabrication of the antenna for this
experiment manual as it is easier to fabricate on foam and also the cheapest option. For
fabricating the antenna, we need Cuming foam material, conductive and adhesive copper tapes,
SMA connector, scissors, knife, soldering iron and soldering wire. The fabricated antenna is
shown in Figure 6. Some suggested steps for fabrication are as follows:

Step 1: Cut the foam material (Cuming Foam) to dimensions 2-3 times larger than the required
length and width of the patch

Step 2: Sketch the outline of the patch and the probe location on one side of the foam.

Step 3: Stick copper tape on the outline drawn in step 2, to create the rectangular patch.

Step 4: Stick copper tape on the other side to create the ground plane. Alternatively, the foam can
be placed on top of a thin metal sheet to form the ground plane.

Step 5: Drill a hole equal to the diameter of the center conductor of the coaxial probe at the probe
location. Similarly, on the ground plane side, remove copper equal to the outer conductor
diameter of the coaxial probe.

Step 6: Insert the SMA connector at the drilled point and solder it to the copper tape on both
sides of the substrate.
** Be careful with any smoke generated, as it is not good for health, so avoid inhaling.

Figure 6: 1x4 linear array of rectangular microstrip patch antennas using coaxial feed probe on
foam substrate .

Measured Results: The return loss measurement verification was done using a Network
Analyzer. The radiation patterns were measured at Remote Educational Antenna Laboratory
(REAL) at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The measured results are as
follows:

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Return Loss Plot: The measured return loss versus frequency for rectangular patch antenna fed-
in using probe feed is shown in Figure 7 Measurements show that the frequency resonate at 2.11
Ghz with a return loss of -28 dB. In addition, it has a bandwidth of 40 MHz or 1.6 %
impedance bandwidth.

Figure 7: Measured return loss for 1x4 linear array of rectangular microstrip patch antennas
using coaxial feed probe

Measured Radiation Pattern: The measured co-polarization radiation pattern for this antenna is
shown in Figure 8. From figure it is evident that, directional pattern with about 8dBi peak gain
and with little back lobe radiation is obtained. However, the peak gain values in the two cut-
plane patterns are slightly different which may be attributed to the fact that two measurements
were done separately and antenna alignment could have been a factor. This is a point of
discussion that student should be explained.

(i) (ii)

Figure 8: Radiation pattern in dB for rectangular patch antenna using microstrip line feed at 2.4
GHz (i) E – plane (Phi = 0 deg cut) (ii) H - plane (Phi = 90 deg cut)

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Summary and Discussion: From the simulated return loss plot (Figure 2) the resonance occurs
at 2.4 GHz. The disagreement between the simulated and measured data is due to the error in
fabrication as it was hand made. This experiment shows that it is easy to fabricate a rectangular
patch array antenna using foam substrate.

Homework Questions: After the measurement, students are advised to discuss the answer to the
following questions with their instructors.

1) What is an array antenna?

2) Define array factor and total array pattern?

How to access the REAL facility at the CMU: It is advised that the students should contact the
REAL facility technician in advance through their instructors for scheduling the measurements
before shipping the fabricated antenna. As per their schedule, student will have the remote access
of the laboratory through audio and video tools available using the internet facilities in their
school. They will be able to control the measurement by clicking the assigned tabs on the
laboratory website: http://preal.ece.cmu.edu. After the measurements are complete, student can
download the measured data file for both the return loss and radiation patterns. Their antenna
will be returned only if a prior shipping arrangement has been made. The measured data can be
placed in the public domain.

References

1. C.A. Balanis, “Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design” 3rd edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
2. Ansoft Designer v3.0, Ansoft Corporation, USA

Student Comments/Notes:

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