A New Design Formulae for Feed Line Dimensions

of the Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna by using

Equivalent Design Concept
Monika Mathur, Abhijat Vats, Ankit Agarwal
Electronics & Communication Department
Swami Keshvanand Institute of Technology, Management & Gramothan, Jaipur, India
Email- monikamathur16@gmail.com, abhijatvats@gmail.com, ankitsagarwal@gmail.com

Abstract—The designing of rectangular microstrip patch

antenna requires classical formulae to calculate. For every new
design same formulae are used which is time consuming and
lengthy. The Bhatnagar’s Postulate gives the idea of transforming
one design into another by using normalized thickness H (ratio of
height of substrate to guided wavelength) and scaling factor ψ
(ratio of the square root of the dielectric constant of the first
design to second). But it is limited to patch only. This paper uses
the same principle for calculating new formulae for the feed line
dimensions. The first antenna design dimensions are calculated
by classical formulae and then others are simulated with the new
formulae of feed line dimensions, Bhatnagar’s Postulate for the
patch and the calculations of the first design. This gives very good
results.

Keywords—microstrip patch antenna; feed line; scaling factor;

feed width

I. INTRODUCTION
In a Microstrip patch antenna, dimensions of the patch as Fig. 1. Top view of the Microstrip patch antenna in HFSS.
well as feed line are very important. These dimensions are Effective dielectric constant εreff is given by
calculated from the classical formulae every time for new
W
design. This method is repetitive if designs are made for the For >1
h
same frequency for different dielectric constants. The
equivalent design concept states that a good design antenna εr + 1 εr − 1 h −½
εreff = + �1 + 12 � (2)
made from classical formulae can be transformed (scaled) into 2 2 W
other design for the same frequency with another dielectric The Normalized extension in the length △ L is given by
constant quickly by the using scaling factor Ψ. It comes from W
Bhatnagar’s Postulate theory. But only the length and width of △L (εreff + 0.3) � + 0.264�
= 0.412 h (3)
the patch is calculated by using the scaling factor. The h W
(εreff − 0.258) � + 0.8�
dimensions of feed line are also very important to calculate. h
The Microstrip patch antenna is designed with the known value The relation of the effective length of patch and actual length
of frequency of operation (f), dielectric constant of substrate of patch is given by
(ε), height of substrate (h). The formulae used for designing the Leff = L + 2 △ L (4)
basic Microstrip patch antenna are as follows [1], [2]
The effective length of patch is given by
The Width of the patch is given by [1] λg (5)
Leff =
c 2 2
W= � (1) Where λg is guided wavelength in dielectric medium and is
2f εr + 1 given by [1]
λ0 (6)
Where c is the velocity of light in free space, 𝑓𝑓 is the resonant λg =
frequency, εr is the dielectric constant of substrate. �εreff
and
c (7)
λ0 =
fr

978-1-4799-6761-2/15/$31.00 ©2015 IEEE 105

The characteristic impedance of a Microstrip line is given by Now the formulae for the design 2 can be quickly calculated
[2] with the help of scaling factor and which are as follows [3], [4]

Wo
Wp2 = ΨWp1 (17)
For ≤1
h
60 8h W0 Le2 = ΨLe1 (18)
(8)
Zc = �ln � + �� (19)
�εreff W0 4h △ L2 = Ψ △ L1
Wo
For >1 Lp2 = ΨLp1 (20)
h
120Π (9) Equations (17) to (20) form the laws of transformation with the
Zc =
�εreff �
W0
+ 1.393 + 0.667 ln �
W0
+ 1.444�� condition that h2 = Ψ h1.
h h
III. FEED LINE DIMENSIONS
Equation (8) and (9) gives characteristic impedance of the
II. EQUIVALENT DESIGN CONCEPT microstrip line. It also gives the relation between the dielectric
constant of substrate and the ratio Wo/h assuming characteristic
A. Bhatnagar’s Postulate impedance of the microstrip line is known where Wo is the
The Bhatnagar’s Postulate gives the concept of equivalent width of microstrip line. A 50Ω microstrip line is used.
design. It has been postulated that “For a rectangular antenna, Another very important assumption is that effective dielectric
extension (d) in the physical length of the patch is directly constant of substrate is nearly equal to the dielectric constant of
proportional to the thickness (h) of the antenna substrate and that substrate.
the electrical length (Le) of the patch and is inversely
proportional to its width (Wp). The constant of proportionality εreff ≈ εr (21)
(β) is independent of the resonant frequency (fo), thickness (h)
For W0/h≤1, Put Zc= 50 Ω in equation (8) and using equation
and dielectric constant (εr ) of the substrate”. This is
(21), we get
Bhatnagar’s Postulate [3], [4].
8h W0 2 (22)
h × Le (10) εr = 1.44 × �ln � + ��
d∝ W0 4h
Wp
h × Le (11) The relation between W0/h and εr can be tabulated and
d=β graphically calculated as below in Table I by putting values of
Wp W0/h to get εr .
where β is the constant of proportionality and has been termed TABLE I.
as Bhatnagar constant. For a rectangular patch its value is DIELECTRIC CONSTANT OF SUBSTRATE WITH W0/h WHEN W0/h≤1
unity. W0/h εr
λg
Classically, d = 2 △ L and Wp = . Therefore 1.00 6.4123
2

△ L = β × H × Le (12) 0.65 9.1688

h 0.64 9.2790
where, H = λ and for a rectangular patch,
g 0.63 9.3916
△ L = H × Le (13) 0.62 9.5068

0.61 9.6246

B. Formulae for designing of the patch 0.6 9.7453

Two designs are set to be equivalent if they result in the 0.59 9.8688
same resonant frequency. The parameters h1, f1, εr1 , Wp1, Lp1 of 0.58 9.9954
design 1 are calculated with the classical formulae, then
0.57 10.1251
parameters Wp2, Lp2 of design 2 can be calculated assuming
f1=f2. Let H be constant between the two designs. Then, H2 = 0.56 10.2580
H1 = H , which gives,
1 1 (14)
× h2 × f2 × �εr2 = × h1 × f1 × �εr1
c c
h2 = Ψ h1 (15)
where

εr1
Ψ=� (16)
εr2

Ψ=scaling factor.

106
 1.06 6.0480
y = 12.321x-1.35
1.01 6.3064
0.66
0.64
0.62
Wo/h

0.6 y = 5.7961x-0.925
0.58 3
0.56 2.5
0.54 2
1.5

Wo/h
9.0000 9.5000 10.0000 10.5000
1
εr 0.5
Fig.2. Graphical representation of dielectric constant of substrate with W0/h 0
when W0/h ≤1
0 2 4 6 8
From Fig. 2, the equation relating the εr and W0/h is
εr
W0
= 12.321 × εr −1.35 (23)
Fig.3. Graphical representation of dielectric constant of substrate with W0/h
h when W0/h >1
Similarly, for W0/h >1, Put Zc= 50 Ω in equation (9) and using From Fig. 3, the equation relating the εr and W0/h is
equation (21), we get
W0
W0 (24) = 5.7961 × εr −0.925 (25)
εr = 56.791 × � + 1.393 h
h
W0 −2 Let’s assume that feed line dimensions W01 and Lf1 of Design 1
+ 0.667 ln �+ 1.444�� are known based on classical formulae where W01 and Lf1 are
h the width and length of feed line respectively. Then one can
The relation between W0/h and εr can be graphically calculated deduce formulae for W02 and Lf2 of Design 2 using equation
as below in Table II by putting values of W0/h to get εr . (23) and (25) for both the W0/h conditions.
TABLE II. For Wo/h≤1, the equation (23) for design 2 and design 1 can be
DIELECTRIC CONSTANT OF SUBSTRATE WITH W0/h WHEN W0/h >1 written as
W0/h εr W02
2.73 2.2053 = 12.321 × εr2 −1.35 (26)
h2
2.68 2.2566
W01
2.6 2.3427 = 12.321 × εr1 −1.35 (27)
h1
2.53 2.4224
In dividing equation (26) and (27),
2.46 2.5064
W02 h1 εr2 −1.35 (28)
2.39 2.5951 × =� �
W01 h2 εr1
2.3 2.7166
Then, using equation (15) and (16) in equation (28), we get
2.23 2.8174
W02 = W01 × Ψ3.7 (29)
2.11 3.0046
2.03 3.1406
The equation (29) gives the simple relation between the width
of feed line of design 1 and design 2.
1.92 3.3442
Similarly, for W0/h >1, the relation will become
1.84 3.5056
W02 = W01 × Ψ2.85 (30)
1.76 3.6798
1.69 3.8438 Both the equations (29) and (30) are easy to calculate and time
saving. For the microstrip feed line length, the below formula
1.6 4.0723 can be used for both the W0/h conditions
1.52 4.2942
Lf2 = Ψ × Lf1 (31)
1.42 4.5997
where Lf1 and Lf2 are the length of the feed line of design 1 and
1.33 4.9055 design 2 respectively.
1.25 5.2054
1.15 5.6236
1.1 5.8533

107
 Considering the equation (21) and from Table I and Table II, Radiation Pattern 3
Ansoft Corporation HFSSDesign1

0 Curve Info

we can conclude that -30 30

dB(rETotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1

W
εr ≥ 6.41 (32)
18.00

For 0 ≤ 1,
h 11.00

-60 60

For
W0
> 1, εr < 6.41 (33) 4.00

h
-3.00

So from above conclusion, one can easily predict which

formulae can be used based on the selection of dielectric -90 90

constant of dielectric substrate.

IV. SIMULATED RESULTS -120 120

The software used for simulation of rectangular microstrip

patch antenna is HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulator). -150 150

Two examples are given for each W0/h conditions. From -180

equation (33), first an antenna having 𝜀𝜀𝑟𝑟 =2.2 with classical (c) Radiation Pattern
formulae is simulated by using equations from (1) to (9) then Ansoft
NameCorporation
X Y XY Plot 4 HFSSDesign1

next antenna having 𝜀𝜀𝑟𝑟 =4.4 is simulated by using equations

900.00
m1 2.3800 1.0200
Curve Info
VSWR(WavePort1)

(17) to (20) and (29) to (31) i.e. new design formulae. The
Setup1 : Sw eep1

800.00

simulated results are pretty impressive. 700.00

Ansoft
NameCorporation
X Y XY Plot 2 HFSSDesign1
0.00
m1 2.3800 -40.0977
Curve Info 600.00
dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))
Setup1 : Sw eep1

-5.00
VSWR(WavePort1)
500.00

-10.00
400.00

-15.00
300.00
dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))

-20.00
200.00

-25.00
100.00
S11 (dB)

-30.00
m1
0.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
Freq [GHz]

-35.00

(d) VSWR plot

-40.00 m1

Fig.4. Simulated result for W0/h >1 using classical formulae for εr=2.2 (a) S11
-45.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
plot with resonant freq. =2.38 GHz and return loss= -40.0977 dB. (b) Smith
Freq [GHz]
Freq [GHz]
chart (c) Radiation Pattern (d) VSWR= 1.02
(a) S11 plot
Ansoft
NameCorporation
Freq Ang Mag RX Smith Plot 1 HFSSDesign1 Ansoft Corporation S11 Plot HFSSDesign1

m1 2.3800 49.2976 0.0099 1.0129 + 0.0152i 0.00

90 Curve Info Curve Info
100 80 Name X Y
110 1.00 70 S(WavePort1,WavePort1) dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))
Setup1 : Sw eep1 m1 2.3800 -29.2595 Setup1 : Sw eep1
120 60

130 0.50 2.00 50

-5.00
140 40

150 30

-10.00
160 0.20 5.00 20
dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))

170 10

-15.00
0.20 0.50 m1
1.00 2.00 5.00
180 0
-0.00
0.00

-170 -10
-20.00

-160 -0.20 -5.00 -20

S11(dB)

-150 -30
-25.00
-140 -40

-130 -0.50 -2.00 -50

m1
-120 -60
-30.00
-110 -1.00 -70 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50
-100 -90 -80 Freq [GHz]

Freq [GHz]
(b) Smith chart (e) S11 plot

108
Ansoft
NameCorporation
Freq Ang Mag RX Smith Plot HFSSDesign1 Ansoft Corporation S11 Plot HFSSDesign1
m1 2.3800 13.7179 0.0344 1.0691 + 0.0175i 0.00
100 90 80 Curve Info Curve Info
Name X Y
110 1.00 70 S(WavePort1,WavePort1) dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))
m1 2.3500 -33.0628
Setup1 : Sw eep1 Setup1 : Sw eep1
120 60

130 0.50 2.00 50

-5.00

140 40

150 30
-10.00

160 0.20 5.00 20

dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))
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-15.00

0.20 0.50 m1
1.00 2.00 5.00
180 0
-0.00
0.00

-20.00
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-160 -0.20 -5.00 -20

-25.00

-150 -30

S11(dB)
-140 -40
-30.00
-130 -0.50 -2.00 -50

-120 -60 m1

-110 -1.00 -70

-100 -90 -80 -35.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
Freq [GHz]

(f) Smith chart Freq [GHz]

Ansoft Corporation Radiation Pattern 3 HFSSDesign1

0 Curve Info (i) S11 plot

dB(rETotal)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
-30 30
Ansoft
NameCorporation
Freq Ang Mag RX Smith Plot HFSSDesign1
10.00
m1 2.3500 6.9233 0.0222 1.0451 + 0.0056i
100 90 80 Curve Info
110 1.00 70 S(WavePort1,WavePort1)
Setup1 : Sw eep1
0.00 120 60

-60 60 130 0.50 2.00 50

-10.00
140 40

150 30
-20.00

160 0.20 5.00 20

-90 90

170 10

0.20 0.50 1.00

m1 2.00 5.00
180 0
-0.00
0.00

-170 -10
-120 120

-160 -0.20 -5.00 -20

-150 -30

-150 150
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-180
-130 -0.50 -2.00 -50

(g) Radiation Pattern -120 -60

-110 -1.00 -70
-100 -80
Ansoft
NameCorporation
X Y VSWR Plot HFSSDesign1 -90
160.00
m1 2.3800 1.0713
Curve Info
VSWR(WavePort1)
Setup1 : Sw eep1 (j) Smith chart
140.00
Ansoft Corporation Radiation Pattern 2 HFSSDesign1

0 Curve Info
dB(rETotal)
120.00
Setup1 : Sw eep1
-30 30

13.00

100.00
6.00
VSWR(WavePort1)

-60 60

80.00 -1.00

-8.00
60.00

-90 90
40.00

20.00

m1 -120 120
0.00
1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50
Freq [GHz]

(h) VSWR plot -150 150

Fig.5. Simulated result for W0/h >1 using new feed line formulae for εr =4.4 -180

(e) S11 plot with resonant freq. =2.38 GHz and return loss= -29.2595 dB. (f) (k) Radiation Pattern
Smith chart (g) Radiation Pattern (h) VSWR= 1.0713

Similarly, for equation (32), first an antenna having 𝜀𝜀𝑟𝑟 =9.2

with classical formulae is simulated by using equations from
(1) to (9) then next antenna having 𝜀𝜀𝑟𝑟 =10.2 is simulated by
using equations (17) to (20) and (29) to (31) i.e. new design
formulae.

109
 Ansoft Corporation VSWR Plot HFSSDesign1 Ansoft Corporation Radiation Pattern 3 HFSSDesign1
500.00
Curve Info
0 Curve Info
Name X Y VSWR(WavePort1)
m1 2.3500 1.0455 Setup1 : Sw eep1 dB(rETotal)
-30 30
Setup1 : Sw eep1
10.00

0.00
400.00
-60 60
-10.00

-20.00

300.00 -90 90
VSWR(WavePort1)

200.00 -120 120

-150 150

-180
100.00

(o) Radiation Pattern

Ansoft Corporation VSWR Plot HFSSDesign1
1200.00
Curve Inf o
Name X Y VSWR(WavePort1)
m1
0.00 m1 2.3600 1.0397 Setup1 : Sw eep1
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
Freq [GHz]
1000.00

(l) VSWR plot

800.00

Fig.6. Simulated result for W0/h >1 using classical formulae for εr=9.2 (i) S11

VSWR(WavePort1)
plot with resonant freq. =2.35 GHz and return loss= -33.0628 dB. (j) Smith 600.00

chart (k) Radiation Pattern (l) VSWR= 1.0455

S11 Plot
400.00
Ansoft Corporation HFSSDesign1
0.00
Curve Info
Name X Y
dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))
m1 2.3600 -34.2070 Setup1 : Sw eep1 200.00

-5.00

m1
0.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
Freq [GHz]

-10.00

(p) VSWR plot

dB(S(WavePort1,WavePort1))

-15.00 Fig.7. Simulated result for W0/h >1 using new feed line formulae for εr=10.2
(m) S11 plot with resonant freq. =2.36 GHz and return loss= -34.2070 dB.
-20.00
(n) Smith chart (o) Radiation Pattern (p) VSWR= 1.0397

-25.00
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The HFSS simulation results show that desired resonant
S11(dB)

-30.00
frequency can be achieved by using the concept of equivalent
m1 design. The microstrip feed line is very important for
impedance matching and providing desirable results. The
-35.00
1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
Freq [GHz]

Freq [GHz] formulae for feed line gives good results and also easy to use
without any mathematical complications. Only one design has
(m) S11 plot
to be made and then all design can be made without using the
Smith Plot
classical formulae.
Ansoft
NameCorporation
Freq Ang Mag RX HFSSDesign1
m1 2.3600 -68.9279 0.0195 1.0134 - 0.0369i
100 90 80 Curve Info
110 1.00 70 S(WavePort1,WavePort1)
Setup1 : Sw eep1

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
120 60

130 0.50 2.00 50

The authors would like to thank Dr. S. K. Bhatnagar and

140 40

Ghanshyam Singh for guidance regarding equivalent design

150 30

concept.
160 0.20 5.00 20

170 10

180
-0.00
0.00
0.20 0.50 1.00
m1 2.00 5.00
0 REFERENCES
-170 -10 [1] R. Garg, Microstrip Antenna Design Handbook. Reading, MA: Artech
-160 -0.20 -5.00 -20
House, Boston, 2011.
-150 -30
[2] Constantine A. Balanis, “Antenna Theory: Analysis and Design”, Third
Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Publication, New Jersey.
-140 -40

-130 -0.50 -2.00 -50

[3] D. Mathur, S. K. Bhatnagar, V. Sahula, “Quick estimation of rectangular
-120 -60 patch antenna dimensions based on equivalent design concept,” IEEE
Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letter, vol. 13, pp. 1469 - 1472, July
-110 -1.00 -70
-100 -90 -80

2014.
(n) Smith chart
[4] S. K. Bhatnagar, “A new approach for designing rectangular microstrip
antenna,” in Proc. Of National Conference on Recent Trends in
Microwave Techniques and Applications, Microwave-2012. University
of Rajasthan, 30 July - 1 Aug. 2012.
[5] J. L. Volakis, Antenna Engineering Handbook. McGraw Hill, 2007.
[6] G. Kumar and K. P. Ray, Broad band Microstrip Antennas. Artech,
2003.

110