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VOL.16, NO.2, MARCH 2021

A Double Tuning Fork Shape Printed Antenna with

Enhanced Gain and Efficiency for X-band Satellite
Applications
Harikrishna Paik*, Hiran Kumar Singh

Department of ECE
VEL TECH University, Chennai, INDIA
E-mail: pavan_paik2003@yahoo.co.in

Abstract-In this paper, a tuning fork shape
microstrip printed antenna for satellite application
is reported. The proposed antenna consists of
double fork arms and has a dimension of
24351.6 mm3. The defected ground slot in the
design improves the impedance bandwidth and
overall antenna performance. The antenna is
designed on FR4 substrate with permittivity of 4.4
and loss tangent 0.02. The performance of the
antenna and optimized dimensions are determined
through parametric study. The effects of feed
width (WF), tuning fork arm length (LT), fork arm
gap (WG), and ground slot length (LG) on antenna
performance are analyzed and results are
illustrated. A prototype of the antenna is fabricated
and measured results are presented to validate the
simulation results. The results demonstrate that
reflection coefficient is below -10 dB in the 811.2
GHz frequency band. It is shown that both E and
H field patterns are bidirectional. The simulated
peak gain of 5.48 dB (5.24 dB measured value) and
4.84 dB (4.62 dB measured value) are achieved at
typical frequencies 8.5 and 10.5 GHz, respectively.
It is established that the proposed antenna has
increased gain and efficiency as compared to the
conventional tuning fork antenna.
Index Terms- Microstrip antenna, Printed antenna,
Partial ground plane, Satellite communication
systems.
This has resulted increased demand for frequency
spectrum coverage using compact wireless
devices such as antennas. The design of the
antenna system is much crucial and major
constraints are taken into account in different
space mission typically, the limited on-board
power and size of the system [3]. Furthermore,
for efficient operation, small antennas are
employed instead of the traditional dish antenna.
In the past, various types of deployable antennas
were in vogue for satellite applications such as
helical antenna [4] for automatic identification
system and quadrifilar helix antenna [5] in LEO
satellite communication. In addition, there are
several ultra wideband antennas including half-
disk, planar horn, and planar metal-plate
employed for satellite applications [6-8]. Among
these antennas, printed microstrip antennas are
extensively used in these systems because of low
profile, simple design, easy manufacture and
large bandwidth characteristics. Different from
the wide-slot microstrip antennas, the monopole
slot antennas are also employed, but still it is a
challenge to design an efficient antenna for
wideband applications [9-10].

I. INTRODUCTION Several reports have been published [11-17] on

The recent development in the field of satellite
technology has resulted space mission easier
over the globe. As a matter of fact, a wide range
of satellites with different sizes are launched for
the space mission such as earth observation,
remote sensing and communications [1-2].
the design of printed patch antenna for various
applications including satellite communication.
In [11], the design of fork shaped patch antenna
(24351.6 mm3) with band rejection
characteristics for ultra wide band applications is

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY,
presented. The two bands WiMAX (3.3-3.7
GHz) and C band satellite communications (3.7-
4.2 GHz) are filtered out by inserting two
asymmetrical L-shaped in each arm of the
tuning fork shaped patch, but this antenna
provides moderate gain in the specified
frequency band. A compact multiband notch
antenna (24.5×33×1 mm3) for C and X band is
presented in [12]. The notched bands at 5.4 and
6.8 GHz are achieved by introducing inverted U
shape ground slot and a curved shaped slot on
the patch. This antenna provides an impedance
bandwidth of 2-12 GHz. In [13], a tuning fork
shaped dipole with a pair of floating reflectors is
presented. This dipole has a fractional
bandwidth of 16.39% and 84% efficiency, but
the reflectors on the bottom layer increase the
design complexity. In [14], a novel L-probe fed
inverted EE-H shaped microstrip antenna is
reported. The integration of these techniques
has resulted satisfactory impedance bandwidth
of 21.15% and 9.5 dBi peak gain, but the
structure of the antenna is complex. In another
report, a tuning fork-shaped microstrip patch
antenna (24×18×1.57 mm3) for the satellite
applications is analyzed [15]. This antenna
covers the frequency spectrum of 8.0-11.10
GHz with average gain of 5.28 dBi, but this
antenna involves an additional N-shaped
parasitic element in the ground plane to achieve
the desired performance. In [16], a novel 2 × 2
high-efficient circularly-polarized planar patch
antenna array is reported for Ku band satellite
TV reception applications. A novel compact
sequential rotation (SQR) feeding technique is
adopted to broaden the operating bandwidth. An
operating bandwidth maximum of 700 MHz
from 11.55 to 12.25 GHz and peak gain of 26.4
dBi is achieved using this structure. Pushkar Lal
et.al [17], presented a dual band single-layer
patch antenna with broadside radiation pattern
for Ku-band fixed satellite applications. Using
this design, impendence bandwidth in lower and
upper band of 10% and 8%, respectively has
been achieved with a low frequency ratio of 1.2.
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In this paper, a double tuning fork shaped
microstrip antenna with defected ground slot is
proposed. As compared to the antennas presented
in the literature, the proposed structure includes
an additional pair of tuning fork arms to achieve
improved gain and bandwidth. The results reveal
that there is a 5.4 % increase in the peak gain and
bandwidth is improved by 100 MHz in the
specified band of operation. The special feature
of the proposed design is that it includes a
defected ground slot to achieve desired
impedance bandwidth and good antenna
performance. The proposed antenna is designed
using low cost FR4 substrate of 1.6 mm
thickness. The antenna is simulated using Ansys
High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS)
software. The optimized dimensions are obtained
through parametric study and computer
simulation is carried out to validate the design. A
proto type of the antenna is fabricated and
measurements are performed in the laboratory
environment. Various key parameters typically,
reflection coefficient (S11), VSWR, gain,
efficiency and far field patterns are measured
using Rohde and Schwarz vector network
analyzer (ZVB 20). The measured results are
compared with simulation results and concluding
remarks are presented.
II. ANTENNA DESIGN
The schematic of the antenna is shown in Fig. 1.
As shown in Fig. 1, initially two circular rings are
constructed on the patch and are cut half the way
from the top. Then two pairs of rectangular arms
are added to the antenna which forms tuning fork
arms and final design is obtained. The proposed
antenna is different from the previously published
structure in that it includes an additional pair of
tuning fork arm for gain and bandwidth
improvement. The antenna is designed using FR4
substrate of 1.6 mm thickness with partial ground
plane. A 50 Ω microstrip line is used to excite the
antenna. The geometry of the antenna is depicted
in Fig. 2. The conventional lumped equivalent
model of the designed structure is shown in Fig. 3.
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As shown in the Fig.3, the series combination of

R1, L1 represent the lumped equivalent model of
the feed line. Similarly, the series combination of
R2, L2 and R5, L5 represent the equivalent models
of outer tuning fork arm where as R3, L3, and R4,
L4 represent for the inner tuning fork arm. The
capacitors C1 and C3 represent the capacitance
between outer left fork arminner arm and outer
right fork arm–inner arm capacitance, respectively.
The capacitor C2 represents the capacitance
between the two inner tuning fork arms. The
capacitors Cg1 and Cg2 represent the capacitance
between the feed line, ground plane and the
radiating patch, ground plane, respectively.

III. PARAMETRIC STUDY

Fig.1. Antenna Configuration The optimized dimensions of the antenna and

overall performance are analyzed by varying
several vital parameters typically, feed line width
(WF), tuning fork arm length (LT), fork arm gap
(WG), and ground plane length (L G).

The effect of WF on reflection coefficient is

shown in Fig. 4 (a). It is noted that at WF = 1 mm,
the antenna operates outside the desired
frequency band which results the antenna to
resonate 10.6 GHz and. Furthermore, at WF = 2
mm, S11 is below -10 dB over 7.8-10 GHz and
hence reduces the impedance bandwidth, whereas
at WF = 1.5 mm, S11 is below -10 dB over the
desired frequency band 811.2 GHz. Thus, the
optimized value of WF is chosen as 1.5 mm.
Fig.2. Antenna Geometry

Fig.4. (a) S11 for different feed line width WF

Fig.3. Equivalent circuit model
The effect of tuning fork arm length (LT) on
antenna characteristics is shown in Fig. 4 (b).

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It is evident that when LT is 6.5 mm, the The ground plane length (LG) is varied from its
reflection coefficient exceeds -10 dB in the optimized value as shown in Fig. 4 (d). It is seen
frequency band 9.4–10.6 GHz making the that at LG = 14 mm, the antenna operation is stable,
antenna not suitable for operation in the desired hence, the final dimension of L G is set to 14 mm.
band. Similarly, when LT = 5.5 mm, it offers
small bandwidth, but at LT = 6 mm, S11 is
satisfactory in the whole band with considerable
impedance bandwidth. Therefore, the optimized
value of LT is set to 6 mm.

Fig.4. (d) S11 for different LG

From these parametric studies, the optimized

dimensions of the antenna are obtained and
presented in Table 1.
Fig.4. (b) S11 for different fork arm length LT
Table 1: Optimized dimensions of the antenna
The simulation results for different fork arm gap
(WG) are shown in Fig. 4(c). It is noted that the parameter Dimension parameter Dimension
(in mm) (in mm)
gap between the two fork arms depends on the
inner ring radius (R1, R2). At WG = 0.5 mm, the LS 30 R4 6
antenna shows less bandwidth and at WG = 1.5 WS 24 WF 1.5
mm, the antenna resonates at 10.6 GHz R1 3 LT 6
frequency. It is established that the performance R2 4 LG 14
is satisfactory at optimized value of W G = 1 mm. R3 4.5 WG 1

A proto type of the antenna was fabricated and

measurements were performed in laboratory
environment (Fig.5). The measurement set up is
shown in Fig. 6. The antenna under test is
connected to Rohde and Schwarz vector network
analyzer (ZVB 20) through low loss 50 Ω co-
axial cable. Various parameters such as S11,
VSWR, radiation pattern, gain and effienicy were
measured.

Fig.4. (c) S11 for different WG

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Fig.5. Fabricated antenna front and back view

Fig.7. (b) Measured S11

Fig.6. Measurement setup

IV. ANTENNA PERFORMANCE

Fig.8. (a) Simulated VSWR
A. S Parameter and VSWR

The measured and simulated S11 of the

optimized antenna is shown in Fig. 7. It is
established that the measured and simulation
results agree well over the desired band of
interest. Fig. 8 shows the measured and
simulation VSWR plots of the proposed
antenna. It is clear that the VSWR of the
antenna is below 2 in the whole band 8-11.2
GHz.

Fig.8. (b) Measured VSWR

B. Far-Field Patterns

Fig. 9(a), 9(b), 9(c) and Fig. 9(d) depict the

measured and simulated E and H filed patterns
for =00 and =900 at typical frequencies of 8.5
GHz and 10.5 GHz. It is clear that the radiation

Fig.7. (a) Simulated S11

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Patterns are bidirectional both in E and H
planes. It is also noted that side lobe gratings
are observed at higher frequencies due to co
polarization in both planes.
Fig.9. (a) Radiation pattern at 8.5 GHz, Phi = 00
Fig.9. (b) Radiation pattern at 8.5 GHz, Phi = 900
Fig.8. (c) Radiation pattern at 10.5 GHz, Phi = 00
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Fig.9. (d) Radiation pattern at 10.5 GHz, Phi = 900
It is observed that the agreement between the
simulation and measured patterns is not as good at
lower frequency. The differences are accounted
due to losses in microwave plumbing, insertion
loss introduced through co-axial cable connector
and improper experimental setup.
C. Gain and Efficiency Measurement
Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 shows the simulated and
measured gain and efficiency plots of the
proposed antenna.
Fig.10. Gain Vs Frequency plot
Fig.11. Efficiency Vs Frequency plot

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY,
It can be seen that the antenna presents a stable
gain with a variation of 1.5 dB over the desired
band of interest and exhibits good radiation
efficiency. From the Fig. 9, it is seen that the
simulated gain is above 3.98 dB in whole band
with a peak value of 5.48 dB at 8.5 GHz while
the measured gain is above 4 dB with a peak
value of 5.24 dB. Further, the radiation
efficiency of the antenna is measured using the
wheeler cap method [18]. From the Fig. 10, it is
revealed that, the maximum efficiency about
91.6 % (simulated value) and 90.8 % (measured
value) are achieved at 9 GHz. However, the
difference between simulation and measurement
results are mainly caused by feeding network,
energy losses, fabrication and measurement
errors. In spite, the radiation efficiency of the
proposed antenna is above 82 % across the
whole band.
D. Performance Comparison
For illustrating the antenna performances,
further comparisons between the proposed
antenna and the antenna presented in the
reference in term of geometry, operating
frequency range, peak gain and effienicy are
given in Table 2.
Table 2: Comparison of performance
Ref Operating Peak Avg.
frequency Gain Effienicy (%)
(db)
[11] 3.3-3.7 GHz 2.73 78
& 3.7- 4.2
GHz
[13] 2-12 GHz 4.62 84
[15] 8.0-11.10 5.28 64
GHz
Proposed 8-11.2 GHz 5.48 86
antenna
According to the Table 2, comparing the
proposed antenna and the antenna in [15], it is
established that both the antennas cover almost
same frequency band but the proposed antenna
provides 5.4 % higher gain than the antenna in
[15]. The antenna in [13] has very wide
impedance bandwidth, but the broadside gain of
antennas is 4.62 dB which much less than the
gain of the proposed antenna.
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As compared to antenna in [11], though both the
antennas have same dimensions, the proposed
antenna provides 50.18 % higher gain. From this,
it is established that the proposed antenna has
enhanced gain and efficiency in the frequency
band of 8-11.2 GHz in the specified band of
operation which can be suitable for X band
satellite applications. Furthermore, the antenna in
this paper adopts simple geometry and easy
design. The proposed antenna size is comparable
with the antennas in [11], [13] and [15].
V. CONCLUSIONS
A compact tuning fork shape patch antenna
operating in the band 811.2 GHz has reported.
The simulation and measured results show that
the reflection coefficient is less than -10 dB and
VSWR less than 2 in the desired band. The
results reveal that there is a 5.4 % increase in the
peak gain and bandwidth is improved by 100
MHz in the specified band of operation. The
simulated peak gain of 5.48 dB (measured value
5.24 dB), and 4.84 dB (measured value 4.62 dB)
are achieved at typical frequencies 8.5 and 10.5
GHz, respectively. The measured and simulated
radiation effienicy of the antenna are above 82 %
in the whole band. It is shown that the proposed
antenna has increased gain and efficiency in the
desired frequency band. Moreover, the uniplanar
structure and wide bandwidth characteristics
make the proposed antenna more suitable for X
satellite applications.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors thank the Management, Vice-
Chancellor, Principal and Head of the department
for extending support in completing the research
work. We also express our thanks to
Communication Research group HEAD for
providing facilities for this work.

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