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A reconfigurable Microstrip Antenna array for UMTS Adaptive Base

Article in International Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation (IRECAP) · June 2012

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 International Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation (IRECAP), Vol. 2, n. 3, June 2012

A reconfigurable Microstrip Antenna array for UMTS Adaptive Base

Station

1, 2
T. Mazri , F. Riouch2 and N. EL Amrani EL Idrissi1

Abstract – The work undertaken is the proposal and simulation of a reconfigurable microstrip
antenna array for adaptive base station operating in the UMTS frequency band (2 GHz). The
array antenna consists of two separate subnets: a scan subnet and a distribution subnet,
performed with Fr4 (Er = 4.5 tgδ = 0.02 h = 1.6mm). The basic antenna array is constituted of
circular patches adapted with coplanar notches and circular patches parasite fed by
electromagnetic coupling. The system also integrates a beam forming, SPST and SP4T
switches. The simulations are performed with the ADS software.

Keywords: Adaptive microstrip antenna array, parasitic patches, phased array antenna,
reconfigurable antennas

I. Introduction The simulations are performed with the ADS

Antennas have known a great expansion in the last
decade in order to follow the growth experienced in the
field of telecommunications. This development brought
up news concepts of smart antennas [1], such as the
broadband antennas with variable frequency [2], the
reconfigurable antennas and the adaptive antennas.
Adaptive antennas systems can determine the location of
the user and focus on receiving and transmitting energy
in useful directions only. This concept can be improved
by combining a smart antenna system with planar design
technology, which allows an easier integrability of active
microelectronic components in the antenna. The design
of adaptive antennas is an important challenge that
includes the development of switches that are efficient
and compatible with standard manufacturing methods in
microelectronics.
The integration of switches in the same ship as the
antenna allows the minimization of costs of production.
In this context, we undertook this work that proposes
and simulates adaptive microstrip antenna
array architecture for UMTS application [3].
Our array antenna consists of two separate subnets.
The first subnet is called scan subnet; its role is to
detect users and memorize their locations. The second
subnet is the distribution network, which is responsible
for generating the radiation pattern calculated by the first
subnet [4].
This antenna consists of a tree structure
network composed of elementary circular patches
inscribed on Fr4 (Er = 4.5 tgδ = 0.02 h = 1.6mm). The
system also incorporates SPST and SP4T switches.
software.
II. Distribution subnet
This network consists of:
• Eight circular patches adapted with coplanar notches
and fed by microstrip lines preceded by couplers.
• Parasitic patches distributed under tree architecture
and fed by electromagnetic coupling.
• This network allows four beams with different
distribution angles by activating or deactivating a
network branch. In order to do this, we use SPST
(single pole single throw) switches based on PIN.
II.1. SPST switcher simulation
Based on studies performed to realize a SPST switch
based on PIN diode [5], the operating principle of this
device is: when the voltage is positive the diode is
conducting and the load resistor in the output circuit is
short circuited and thus the input signal is blocked. When
the bias voltage is negative, the diode is blocked and the
input signal is routed to the output [6]. The function of
the bias supply lines is to inject bias current. These high
impedance lines (147 Ohm to 100microns) must present
a impedance transmission line close to that a open
circuits in order to not disrupt the RF energy
transmission [7]. Thus, the capacity of high value 100
pF is added in parallel to λ /4 RF lines. The diode chosen
for this application is HPND PIN 4028 [8].

Manuscript received and revised 21/06/ 2012, accepted 26/07/2012 Copyright © 2012 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved
 T. Mazri, F. Riouch, N. EL Amrani EL Idrissi

In case where the circuit is biased directly, the

following figure illustrates that the input signal is
blocked and the reflection coefficient is about -1.7dB.

Fig. 1. The SPST circuit diagram using ADS

The ADS tool allows the direct generation

of Layout to move to the design of the switch.

Fig. 2. Layout of SPST switch Fig. 4. The SPST Simulation Results in direct bias

When the SPST is in reverse bias, as is clearly shown

in the figure below, we notice that the signal is routed II.2. Subnet distribution Simulation
to the output. The reflection coefficient is set to-33.7dB. The SPST switch simulated in the previous section is
integrated into the distribution subnet in order to activate
or deactivate network branch. This transaction will allow
us four different radiation pattern apertures. The
switch replaces the line λg /2 in each branch of the
network as illustrated by the following figure. Its
location is chosen so as not to disturb the antenna’s
characteristics. The total scheme of the distribution
subnet below comprises six switches SPST to block the
signal in the desired branch and therefore
the reconfiguration of the radiation pattern of the
antenna. The antenna consists of a network of circular
patches fed by microstrip lines and distributed in a tree
structure that allows a good performance [9]. The
patches’ distribution structure is inspired by the YAGUI-
UDA antenna. The eight patches supplied by microstrip
lines represent the radiator element, and the patches
supplied by electromagnetic coupling represent the
director element of the antenna. The distribution of
parasitic patches takes into account the future
functionality of sub-networks, where the two structures
used are different in that for the scanning network, the
tree structure is a single branch, whereas for the
distribution network, the structure is in two branches.
Fig. 3. The SPST Simulation Results in reverse bias

Copyright © 2012 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved Int. Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation, Vol. 2, N. 3
 T. Mazri, F. Riouch, N. EL Amrani EL Idrissi

Fig. 7. Radiation pattern of distribution subnet

• Four active branches

In this case, the four subnet branches are fed; the
switches are biased in reverse. The main lobe of the
subnet is highly directional. Its effective angle is about
Fig. 5. Layout of distribution subnet
42 degrees. This subnet allows a directivity of 12 dB and
The parasites patches present an electromagnetic a gain of 11.8dB.
coupling in the E and H planes. The connecting lines • Three active branches
should be sized to be adapted to 50 Ohms at the input of In this case, three subnet branches are fed. Three
the array. Wilkinson dividers “which divides the switches are in reverse bias and one switch
power keeping the same input impedance to the output in direct. The main lobe of the network is less directive
[10]” are integrated in order to obtain an impedance of than the first case. Its effective angle is 50 degrees. This
100 Ohm at the entrance of the patches. The antenna network allows a directivity of11.5dB and a gain
circuit is well illustrated in the figure7. of 11dB.
Based on the simulation results, this network allows a • Two active branches
reflection coefficient about -27dB. Now, two subnet branches are fed. Two
switches are in reverse bias and two in direct. The main
lobe of the subnet is less directive than the first
and second cases. Its effective angle is about
71 degrees. This subnet allows a directivity of 10 dB and
a gain of 9.5dB.
• One active branch
In this case, only one branch of the subnet is fed. One
switch is in reverse bias and the others are biased
directly. The main lobe of the subnet is less directive
than the first and second cases. Its effective angle is
71 degrees. This subnet network allows a directivity of
10 dB and a gain of 9.5dB. Although the power is cut on
the inactive branches, the influence by electromagnetic
coupling remains active, which explains the high
gain and directivity.

Fig. 6. Simulation results of subnet distribution

III. Scan subnet simulation
To better visualize the performance of this network, This subnet is a phased array antenna. It consists of
we proceed to the simulation of the radiation pattern for eight circular patches adapted with coplanar notches and
the different states of the switches in the subnet. fed by microstrip lines, and parasites patches distributed

Copyright © 2012 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved Int. Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation, Vol. 2, N. 3
 T. Mazri, F. Riouch, N. EL Amrani EL Idrissi

on tree architecture. This network is preceded by a Butler following figure shows the positioning of the four
matrix that allows four scanning beams pointing to the branches with their bias circuits. Port1 corresponds
cell’s four directions, in addition to a 4-in 1-out SP4T to the input and ports 2, 3, 4 and
switch based on a PIN diode to command the signal’s 5 correspond respectively to outputs 1, 2, 3 and 4. We
rooting. performed simulations for four cases of signal routing.

• output 1 (port2) active

III.1. Proposition and simulation of a new SP4T switch
When the branch 1of the circuit is polarized in reverse
To realize an SP4T switch suitable for our bias and the other ones are in direct bias, the RF
application, we started from the architecture of an energy is routed to output 1, while the other outputs
SPST parallel. Thus, the switch has four output are completely blocked.
branches in which the diodes are connected in The Bandwidth authorized by this switch is
parallel. Each branch has its own bias circuit. All these 700 MHz [1.9GHz, 2.6 GHz] , which integrates well the
branches are connected to a common point which links UMTS band (2GHz). The simulation results are given by
capacities that are added in order to avoid the current’s Fig.12.
return to the inputs and outputs.

Fig. 10. SP4T simulation results for output1 active

Fig. 8. Architecture of SP4T switch based on PIN diode

Fig. 11. SP4T Layout

The different coefficients for the 2 GHz

Fig. 9. SP4T switch realized by ADS
The circuit includes four diodes, twelve capacities,
an RF switch with one input and four outputs. This
switch will therefore enable us to route the input signal
to one of the four outputs. The selected output is then
activated by polarizing its circuit in reverse. The Other
outputs are inactive. The ADS scheme given on the
frequency have the following values; S11= -13.8 dB,
S12= -1.9 dB, S13 =-21.6 dB, S14 = -21.6 dB and S15=
-22.7dB. These coefficients show that the signal is routed
to the output corresponding to port2. The next step is to
generate the layout of the SP4T switch. The layout given
by ADS is shown in the figure above (Fig. 13).
The simulation results are very favorable. We
succeeded in designing a 4-in 1-out
switch. A conclusive table results for the different

Copyright © 2012 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved Int. Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation, Vol. 2, N. 3
 T. Mazri, F. Riouch, N. EL Amrani EL Idrissi

outputs is given below:

TABLE I
RESULTS FOR THE DIFFERENT ACTIVE OUTPUT

Active Output S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 Bandwidth

1 -13.8 -1.9 -21.6 -21.6 -22.7 700 MHz

2 - 14.7 -22 -1.8 -22.6 -23 700 MHz

3 -20 -20 -20 -2 -20 700 MHz

4 -20 -20 -20 -20 -2 700 MHz

Fig. 13. Simulation results of the 4 * 4 Butler matrix

III.2. The beam forming simulation The next step is to integrate the SP4T switches and the
The application of a constant phase difference between beam forming in the antenna. To form the scanning
the patches causes a change in the direction of the main array we place the switch upstream from the
beam [11][12]. The Butler matrix is the device chosen antenna with the four outputs connected to the four
for this operation. It allows the introduction of phase inputs of the beam-forming.
difference because of the different paths that the RF
signal takes before arriving at patches [13][14][15]. III.3. Scan subnet Simulation
The Butler matrix 4 * 4 consists of eight couplers and
By making the 1-in 4-out switch based on a PIN diode
two phase shifters (fig.14), so we may use ADS to model
upstream of the beam forming, the scan subnet becomes
it. The resulting layout is given in the figure 14. The
full.
parameters S of the Butler matrix have to be such that the
The Figure 14.a shows the interconnection points of
reflection is minimal and the transmission is maximal in
the switch with the Butler matrix. The complete
order to ensure a good transmission of the appropriate
scheme of the scan subnet is given by the figure14.b.
signal [16]. Simulation results are given in Figures 15.
The simulation results show a good reflection
coefficient of -45dB, but with an offset frequency of
100 MHz that can be easily adjusted by the
dimensioning of the matrix.

Fig. 12. 4*4 Butler matrix layout Fig. 14. Layout of the scanning subnet

Copyright © 2012 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved Int. Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation, Vol. 2, N. 3
 T. Mazri, F. Riouch, N. EL Amrani EL Idrissi

The reflection coefficient at 2 GHz is -18dB, while the To better visualize the performance of this network,
transmission coefficients are between -5 and -7 dB. we proceed to the simulation of the radiation pattern at 2
GHz for different SP4T branch actives.

Fig. 15. S11 Simulation results of scan subnet

The following table presents the different results for

different configurations. We note that the port1
corresponds to the input port of the circuit and ports 2, 3,
4 and 5 are respectively placed at the entrances of the
circular patches.

TABLE II
RESULTS FOR THE DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION OF SCAN SUBNET
Fig. 16. S11 Scan subnet radiation pattern

Active SP4T branch S11 S12 S13 S14 S15 Bandwidth The simulation results are very favorable. We have
succeeded in obtaining four different pointing angles.

1 -18 -5 -5 -6.5 -7 370 MHz

IV. CONCLUSION
2 -22 -6 -6 -5.5 -6 370 MHz In this paper we proposed and simulated a microstrip
antenna array for adaptive base station. This antenna
3 -23 -6 -6 -6 -6 370 MHz allows the reconfigurability of the radiation
pattern and the electronic scanning. This antenna consists
4 -20 -7 -7 -5.5 -5.5 370 MHz of two sub nets: the distribution subnet and the scanning
subnet.
The sizes of different phase values given by the scan The simulation results of the distribution subnet’s
subnet: transmission and reflection coefficients were favorable.
TABLE III The radiation pattern showed the existence of
DIFFERENT PHASE VALUES ON DEGREE AT 2GHZ four different apertures depending on the active
branches.
The simulations of the scanning subnet, which consists
Port/ Branch 1 2 3 4
of an array antenna preceded by a beam splitter and a
switch SP4T, were also positive and showed the
1 116 -141 13 -156
existence of four different angles the beam can point to.
2 10 -39 -68 -33

3 -23 45 -155 37

4 -175 56 -159 72

Copyright © 2012 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved Int. Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation, Vol. 2, N. 3
 T. Mazri, F. Riouch, N. EL Amrani EL Idrissi

REFERENCES AUTHORS’ INFORMATION

[1] A. S. Srinivasa Rao, P. Mallikarjuna Rao, S. K. Nayak « Design 1
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[4] VAUDON Patrick – Master Recherche Télécommunications
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Copyright © 2012 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved Int. Journal on Communications Antenna and Propagation, Vol. 2, N. 3

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