Design and Simulation of Microstrip Patch Antenna Using COMSOL

e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science

( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:05/Issue:03/March-2023 Impact Factor- 7.868 www.irjmets.com
DESIGNING AND SIMULATION OF MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA USING

COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS
Aakashraam.K*1, K.G. Padmasine*2
*12nd M.Sc., Department of Electronics and instrumentation, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil nadu,
India
*2Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Instrumentation, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore,
Tamil nadu, India
DOI : https://www.doi.org/10.56726/IRJMETS35126
ABSTRACT
This Project is mainly direct toward the design and simulations of a circular microstrip patch antenna using
Comsol Multiphysics software are presented. The antenna is designed to operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz,
which is commonly used for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth applications. The simulation is performed using the
electromagnetic module of Comsol Multiphysics, which solves Maxwell's equations using the finite element
method. The simulation results show that the antenna has a good impedance matching and radiation pattern.
The gain and directivity of the antenna are also calculated. The effect of varying the substrate thickness on the
antenna performance is investigated. The simulation results show that the substrate thickness has a significant
effect on the antenna's resonant frequency, bandwidth, and radiation pattern. The simulation results
demonstrate the effectiveness of Comsol Multiphysics software in the design and optimization of circular
microstrip patch antennas.
Keywords: Far-field domain, Metamaterial, Impedance, Polarization, Resonant frequency, Comsol
Multiphysics.
I. INTRODUCTION
A circular microstrip patch antenna is a type of antenna that is widely used in microwave and wireless
communication systems. It is a planar structure consisting of a conducting patch placed over a ground plane
with a dielectric material in between. The conducting patch is usually circular in shape, although other shapes
such as rectangular, elliptical, and triangular are also used. The circular microstrip patch antenna is popular
because of its simplicity, low profile, low cost, and ease of integration with other components. It has a relatively
wide bandwidth, good radiation characteristics, and can be designed to have high gain and directivity. The
circular microstrip patch antenna can be used in wide range of applications, including satellite communication,
cellular phones, and wireless local area networks (WLANs). It is also used in radio frequency identification
systems (RFID), global positioning systems (GPS), and radar systems. Overall, the circular microstrip patch
antenna is a versatile and effective antenna design that offers many advantages for a wide range of applications.
II. METHODOLOGY
Circular microstrip patch antennas are widely used in various communication systems including satellite
communication and mobile communication. In this methodology, the simulation of a circular microstrip patch
antenna using finite element method using the software called COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5. The proposed
methodology can be applied to both frequency and time-domain analysis of the microstrip patch antenna.
Determine the desired resonant frequency and bandwidth of the antenna. Choose the appropriate substrate
material and dimensions for the microstrip patch.Determine the feed point location and feeding method (e.g.
coaxial or microstrip line).Use COMSOL Multiphysics software to model the antenna structure, including the
substrate, patch, and feed structure. Perform simulations to optimize the antenna performance and achieve the
desired resonance frequency and bandwidth.Calculate the simulation results to ensure the antenna meets the
specified requirements. Validate the simulation results by fabricating and testing the actual antenna. For
circular microstrip patch antennas, one can vary different geometrical parameters such as radius, substrate
thickness, substrate type, dielectric constant, patch thickness, feed positions, feeding techniques, etc., and can
analyze their effect using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5. While designing and modeling a simulation for the circular
microstrip patch antenna, one needs to consider several factors such as return losses, radiation patterns,
www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

[3840]
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
impedance bandwidth, gain, and efficiency. Also, one needs to ensure that the designed antenna only behaves in
its resonant frequency within the expected range.
III. MODELING AND ANALYSIS
3.1 GEOMETRY AND MESHING
The geometry of the circular microstrip patch antenna can be easily created using the COMSOL Multiphysics
graphical user interface. The substrate material, the patch radius, and the substrate thickness can be defined
according to the required design specifications. In addition, the software provides various meshing options for
the simulation model. The user can choose the size of the mesh elements based on the accuracy requirement
and available computational resources.
3.2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES
The material properties of the substrate and conducting patch can be defined in the COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5.
The di-electric constant of the substrate is an important parameter that affects the antenna performance. In
addition, the electrical conductivity of the patch material should be assigned correctly to simulate the expected
radiation behavior.
3.3 BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
In circular microstrip patch antenna the proposed simulation model requires appropriate boundary conditions
to be applied to the simulation domain. The outer boundaries of the simulation domain are set as Perfect
electric conductor (PEC) to avoid any leakage of electromagnetic radiation energy. The bottom substrate
boundary is defined as a Perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) because no current flows through it.
3.4 SOLVER SETTINGS
The simulation model requires appropriate solver settings to be chosen to optimize the computational time and
accuracy. The Frequency Domain Solver can be chosen for simulation in the frequency domain, whereas the
Time-Domain Solver is used for simulation in the time domain.
3.5 DESIGN AND MODEL
Developing a new simulation project in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5 and choosing the frequency domain as the
analysis type. Next, create the geometry for the circular microstrip patch antenna by defining the dimensions of
the patch, substrate, and feed line. In this case, use RO4003C as the substrate and PTFE as the feed line. Once
you have created the geometry, assign the material properties to the different components, including the
conductivity of copper and the dielectric properties of air and substrate materials. After the material
assignments, create the mesh for the geometry to prepare it for the simulation. Next, define the boundary
conditions, such as the excitation of the patch through the feed line and the radiation out of the structure. Once
you have set up all the simulation components, run a simulation to analyze the antenna's performance
concerning its S-parameters, impedance, and radiation pattern.
Figure 1: 3-D work plane view of circular microstrip patch antenna .

[3841]
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
Once the geometry is designed, the next step is to set up the simulation model in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5. The
model includes the geometry of the patch, the substrate material, and the feed line. The simulation model is set
up using the Electromagnetic Waves, Frequency Domain interface, which solves for the electric and magnetic
fields at the resonant frequency. The electromagnetic properties of the substrate material are input into the
simulation model, including the dielectric constant and loss tangent. The loss tangent determines the amount of
energy lost in the substrate due to the Dielectric loss. The loss tangent is an important parameter that affects
the performance of the antenna. The simulation model also includes the boundary conditions for the
simulation. The boundary conditions specify the behavior of the electromagnetic fields at the edges of the
simulation domain, including the perfect electric conductor (PEC) boundary condition
Figure 2: Dimensions of circular microstrip patch antenna
Figure 3: S–Parameter of patch antenna
Figure 4: Distribution of electric field of antenna

[3842]
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
The simulation is observed and the S-parameters are set of complex numbers that are used to describe how an
electrical network (such as an antenna) responds to a signal at a given frequency. They are used to measure the
reflection and trans-mission of electromagnetic waves through a network, and can be used to understand how
the antenna interacts with its environment. In the case of a circular microstrip patch antenna, S-parameters
would describe the antenna's impedance and its ability to radiate energy is represented in Figure 3. The
electric field of an antenna is a measure of the strength of the electric field surrounding the antenna. It
describes the distribution of the electric field in the space around the antenna and provides information on how
the antenna radiates energy. In a circular microstrip patch antenna, the electric field would be strongest in the
vicinity of the feed point, and would decrease in strength as the distance from the antenna increased. The
electric field of the antenna is important for determining the antenna's radiation pattern and the direction in
which energy is radiated and is represented in Figure 4.
Figure 5: 3-D radiation pattern of
Figure 6: 2-D radiation pattern of

A circular microstrip patch antenna typically radiates and receives electromagnetic waves in all directions, and
its radiation pattern can be represented three-dimensionally (3D). This 3D radiation pattern is the graphical
representation of the antenna’s directivity or its ability to concentrate radio waves toward a specific region is
represented in Figure 5.
The electric field distribution of a circular microstrip patch antenna is a complex pattern that varies depending
on several factors, such as frequency, shape, size, and substrate. However, the electric field lines are usually
concentrated near the edge of the patch and extend outward to the surrounding air or substrate. The electric
field intensity is stronger near the center of the patch and weaker at the edges.

[3843]
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results obtained from the simulation of circular microstrip patch antenna using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5
can be discussed as follows:
Resonant Frequency: The resonant frequency is a critical parameter that determines the frequency at which
the antenna attains maximum efficiency. The resonant frequency of the circular patch antenna was found to be
5.8 GHz, which suitable for WLAN applications.
Radiation Pattern: The radiation pattern of the circular patch antenna was found to be omnidirectional, which
means that the antenna radiates equally in all directions. This property makes the antenna suitable for use in
applications where the signal needs to be transmitted uniformly in all directions.
Gain: The gain of the antenna refers to the ability of the antenna to focus the radiated energy in a particular
direction. The gain of the circular patch antenna was found to be 7.1 dB, which is considered a moderate gain
for such an antenna.
Efficiency: The efficiency of the antenna is defined as the ratio of the power radiated by the antenna to the
power supplied to it. The circular patch antenna had an efficiency of 95%, which is considered to be an
excellent value for an antenna of this type. To determine the antenna's radiation pattern and resonance
frequency, the simulation results should be examined. Consideration should be given to the electric and
magnetic fields' strength and phase. Suitable plotting software and visualization methods should be used while
analyzing the results. Finally, it is important to compare the simulation results to actual data or theories. The
model should be improved, and the simulation should be run again, if the outcomes considerably differ from
the predicted values. The model is validated after the simulation results match the experimental
measurements. By contrasting them with experimental results or simulation results from other software or
antenna design tools, it is possible to confirm the accuracy of the simulation results from COMSOL Multiphysics
5.5, verify the simulation findings from COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5 with experimental results, simulation results
from other programs, or results from tools for designing antennas. Fabricate and test the actual antenna to
verify the simulation's findings. Using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5, one may adjust several geometrical
parameters for circular microstrip patch antennas, including the radius, substrate thickness, and substrate
type, and dielectric constant, patches thickness, feed positions, and feeding techniques. One must take into
account a number of aspects when developing and simulating a simulation for the circular microstrip patch
antenna, including return losses, radiation patterns, impedance bandwidth, gain, and efficiency. Also, one must
make sure that the designed antenna only operates within the intended frequency range at its resonant
frequency.
Figure 7: Distribution of electric field within the geometry of antenna .

[3844]
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
The normal of electric field inside the antenna substrate is described in Figure 4, where an arrow plot of the
electric field is included. The direction of the arrows indicates the dominant polarization in the direction of
max-imum radiation. The antenna impedance is higher if 50 Ω fed from the edge and lower if 50 Ω fed from the
center. Therefore, an optimum feed point exists between the center and the edge.
Table1. Antenna Parameters
NAME EXPRESSION VALUE DESCRIPTION
Fr 5.8[GHz] 5.8E9 Hz Resonant Frequency
lamr c_const/fr 0.051688 m Resonant wavelength
a 0.77342[cm] 0.0077342 m Patch radius
tanD 0.0021 0.0021632 m Loss tangent of substrate
tanD_p 0.0021 9E - 4 Loss tangent of PTFE
hs 32[mil] 8.128E - 4 m Substrate height
t 35[µm] 3.5E – 5 m Metal thickness
Di 1.3[mm] 0.0013 m Inner diameter of coaxial feed
Do 4.35[mm] 0.00435 m outer diameter of coaxial feed
Lf 15[mm] 0.015 m Feed length
A 4.5*a 0.034804 m Depth and width of whole structure
Fairfield_R 2*(A2)/lamr 0.04687 m Radius of far-field domain
PML 0.15*lamr 0.0077533 m PML domain thickness
Fmin 4.5[GHz] 4.5E9 Hz Minimum frequency
Fmax 7.1[GHz] 7.1E9 Hz Maximum frequency
Figure8: Maximum gain of the antenna
V. CONCLUSION
The simulation of a circular microstrip patch antenna using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.5 is a highly effective and
accurate method for predicting the behavior and performance of the antenna. By using this software,
researchers and engineers can design, optimize and evaluate the performance of the antenna before
constructing the physical prototype, saving time and resources. The simulation results can help in determining
the antenna's impedance matching, radiation pattern, and gain. Additionally, the simulation allows for easy
modification of the antenna design parameters to achieve the desired performance. Overall, the simulation of
circular microstrip patch antennas using COMSOL Multiphysics is a powerful tool for antenna design and
optimization
[3845]
e-ISSN: 2582-5208
VI. REFERENCES
[1] Shailesh Kumar et al. An E-shaped coaxial feed Microstrip patch antenna has been introduced in this
paper. The proposed antenna is intended to function in the frequency bands of 5.725 to 5.85 GHz. the
suggested antenna was created using the HFSS software from ANSOT.
[2] Dakir R et al., A new compact and miniaturized multiband unipolar CPW fed monopole antenna with T-
slot inverted for multiple wireless applications. Int J of Micro and Wire Techno 2017; 1-5.
[3] Bharti G et al., Analysis and design of triple band compact microstrip patch antenna with fractal
elements for wireless applications. Int Conf on Comp Modeling and Sec 2016; 85:380-85.
[4] Cui, T et al., Metamaterial.
[5] Tripathi S et al., Hexagonal fractal ultra-wideband antenna using Koch geometry with bandwidth
enhancement. IET Micro Ant and Propag 2014; 8:1445-50.
[6] Beigi P et al., A novel small triple-band monopole antenna with crinkle fractal structure. AEU – Int J of
Electronics and Communications 2016; 70(10):1382-87.
[7] Luukkonen, O et al., 2011. A Stepwise Nicolson–Ross–Weir-Based Material Parameter Extraction
Method. IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters, 10, pp.1295-1298.
[8] Azari, A. et al., 2008. Ultra wideband fractal micro strip antenna design. Progress in electromagnetics
research c, 2, pp.7-12.
[9] Soontornpipit, P et al., 2004. Design of Implantable Micro strip Antenna for Communication with
Medical Implants. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 52(8), pp.1944-1951.
Rajeshkumar, V et al., ring quad band fractal antenna for WLAN/WIMAX applications. Micro and Opt
Techno Lett 2014; 56(11):2545-48.
[10] Moghadasi M et al., A small dual band CPW fed monopole antenna for GSM and WLAN applications.
IEEE Ant and Wire Propag Lett 2013; 12:508-11.
[11] Azaro R et al., Synthesis of a Galileo and Wi-Max three band fractal eroded patch antenna. IEEE Ant and
Wire Lett 2007; 6:510-14.
[12] Mezaal Y-S et al., Miniaturized microstrip band pass filters based on Moore fractal geometry. Int J of
Electr 2014; 102(8):1306-19.
[13] Romeu, J et al., "Generalized Sierpinski fractal multiband antenna," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and
Propagation, Aug. 2001.
[14] Vinoy, K. J., "Fractal shaped antenna elements for wide and multi-band wireless applications," Thesis,
Pennsylvania, Aug. 2002.

[3846]

Design and Simulation of Microstrip Patch Antenna Using COMSOL

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Design and Simulation of Microstrip Patch Antenna Using COMSOL

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

e-ISSN: 2582-5208

International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science

DESIGNING AND SIMULATION OF MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA USING

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

Figure 1: 3-D work plane view of circular microstrip patch antenna .

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

Figure 2: Dimensions of circular microstrip patch antenna

Figure 3: S–Parameter of patch antenna

Figure 4: Distribution of electric field of antenna

Figure 5: 3-D radiation pattern of

Figure 6: 2-D radiation pattern of

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

Figure 7: Distribution of electric field within the geometry of antenna .

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

Figure8: Maximum gain of the antenna

www.irjmets.com @International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science

You might also like