2017 International Electronics Symposium on Engineering Technology and Applications (IES-ETA)
Truncated Microstrip Square Patch Array Antenna
2 x 2 Elements with Circular Polarization for
S-Band Microwave Frequency
Zainal Muludi*)
*)
Department of Electrical Engineering,
Electronic Engineering Polytechnic
Institute of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
zainal@pens.ac.id
Abstract—This paper presents the design and realization of a
truncated square microstrip patch antenna array with 2 x 2
elements that operates at a frequency S-band microwave
frequency (2.4 GHz). The antenna material uses PCB FR-4
Epoxy, in which there is a dielectric substrate with dielectric
constant (εr = 4.7, tan δ = 0.02), height h = 1.6 mm. Square
microstrip patch antenna designed to have the corner cut off.
Bevelled corner aims to obtain circular polarization with axial
ratio value less than 3 dB. The design of microstrip antenna
array using planar technique with models of 2 x 2 elements.
Planar array technique used to obtain a larger gain than square
microstrip patch antenna comparing with only single element.
The design uses a software simulator CST Microwave Studio.
The results of the simulation obtained in accordance with the
desired specifications. From the measurement results of
prototype of antenna are the center frequency of 2.38 GHz, the
return loss of -19.34 dB or VSWR of 1.551 with bandwidth of 59
MHz, gain of 4.83 dBi, directional radiation pattern and HPBW
of 50o, circular polarization with an axial ratio of 2.53 dB.
Keywords— microstrip patch antenna, array antennas,
circular polarization, microwave frequency
I. INTRODUCTION
Antenna is an important component in the wireless
communication system, where this component is used as a
means of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves
[1]. Advances in communications technology showed a very
rapid development, especially satellite communications
technology. In building a nano-satellite communications for
needed an antenna that is small and low profile. Antenna that
can be used is a microstrip antenna which has a small size, low
profile, compact, low weight, and low fabrication [2].
Microstrip consists of two words, namely micro (very
thin/small ) and strips (blades/piece). Microstrip antenna is an
antenna in the form of thin boards that work at microwave
frequencies. Microstrip antenna is a type of antenna
comprising a dielectric substrate sandwiched between ground
plane and patch [3]. Microstrip antenna concept was first
proposed in 1953 in New Mexico [4]. Generally, microstrip
antenna generally has linear polarization.
Because the nano-satellites are always spinning the
required antenna has the same power between vertical and
978-1-5386-0712-1/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE
Budi Aswoyo*)
*)
Department of Electrical Engineering,
Electronic Engineering Polytechnic
Institute of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
budias@pens.ac.id
horizontal field. With this microstrip antenna, the antenna
needs to be modified so that it becomes a circular polarization
[5]. Microstrip antenna has a low gain limitations. The array
configuration with stacking models used to obtain high gain.
In antenna design, there are several considerations that
must be considered to be implemented in the system.
Especially for this antenna the advantages for the real
implementation of S-band microwave frequency include a
lightweight antenna, then in the case of this antenna has
circular polarization advantages, and most other antennas such
as antennas are linearly polarized antenna (horizontal or
vertical). The advantages of a circular polarized antenna are
able to capture the signal under any circumstances, either
vertical, harisontal, or oblique.
In this study, carried out the design and manufacture of
microstrip antenna which works at S-band (2.4 GHz)
microwave frequency. The microstrip antenna array is 2x2
elements designed using a square patch, where the antenna is
modified to give cut off on the corner of the patch to generate
circular polarization.
II. FORMULATION OF ANTENA DESIGN
In this paper, there are two stages antenna design, the first
is one element microstrip antenna and then 2x2 elements
array. One element microstrip antenna is based for design
more complex elements array. All stages of antenna design
and simulation will be simulated using CST Microwave
Studio.
A. Specification Design
In the design of the antenna design, there are several
criteria that must be met in order for the antenna to work
properly as return loss is less than -10 dB, VSWR is less than
2.0, and gain is more than 3 dBi. TABLE 1 represents the
required antenna specifications of the antenna.
B. Formulation Design of Microstrip Antenna
Microsrtip antenna is made of a substrate which consists of
three layers as shown in Fig.1, namely patch, dielectric
material, and ground plane.
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 TABLE I. SPECIFICTION OF ANTENNA REQUIRED 1
Z0  ε r + 1  2 εr − 1  0.11  (4)
A=   +  0.23 + 
ε r 
Parameter Specification
60  2  εr + 1 
Operating Frequency 2.4 GHz (S Band)
Return Loss < -10 dB
VSWR < 2.0 with: Z0 = the input impedance
Bandwidth 20 – 150 MHz r = the relative dielectric constant
Axial Ratio < 3.0 dB
3) The Resonant Frequency: The resonant frequency of an
Polarization Circular
antenna can be interpreted as an antenna operating frequency
Gain > 3.0 dBi
at which the frequency of the entire power is transmitted to the
fullest. In general, the resonant frequency of the reference
• Patch is made of conducting material that serves to radiate
operating frequency antenna. The resonant frequency can be
waves.
formulated by
• Dielectric material is the section located between ground
plane and patch. Influence in the broadcasting wave. V0
fr = (5)
Permittivity (εr) and thickness (h) will affect the wide 2L ε r
bandwidth of the antenna. where,
• Ground plane is made of a material that serves as a ground fr = the operating frequency
conductor of the antenna.
V0 = the wave velocity
L = the length of microstrip antenna
ɛr = the relative dielectric constant
4) Bandwidth: Bandwidth of an antenna is defined as the
frequency range in which the antenna performance related to
h some characteristic (such as input impedance, polarization,
beamwidth, polarization, gain, efficiency, VSWR or return
loss) meet standard specifications. Bandwidth antenna can be
Fig.1. Substrat of microstrip antenna formulated by
f −f
1) Patch Length: To design a square microstrip patch BW = 2 1 (6)
fc
antenna at the desired frequency, can be obtained by adjusting
Where,
the length of the patch (Lp ) of the antenna as in (1) and (2)[1].
2 = the upper frequency (Hz)
F
Lp = 1
×2 (1) 1 = the lower frequency (Hz)
 2h   πF   2 c = the centre frequency (Hz)
1 + ln  + 1,7726 
 πε r F   2h   5) Single Feed Line: Polarization on a square patch
where, microstrip antenna can be achieved with a single feed line
with a small portion of the patch cut off is shown in Fig.2. To
8,79 × 10 9
F= (2) calculate the length of the pieces on the patch antenna using
fr ε r (7), (8), and (9).
with:
h = substrate thick ∆ S = ∆ S 1+ ∆ S 2 (7)
= the relative dielectric constant ∆S = S 2 (8)
F = the wavelength in substrate L = Lp2 (9)
r = the resonant frequency or center frequency
With:
∆S1 = ∆S2 = long diagonal patch pieces
2) Feeder Length (W): In addition to the long side of the S = long side of patch pieces
patch, width of the feeder W can also be obtained from Eq. (3) L = patch square
and (4) [7] . Lp = long side patch
W 8e A
= 2A (3)
h e −2
Where,

88
 8.79 × 109
F= ; fr = 2.4 GHz , ε r = 4.3 F / m
fr ε r
8.79 × 109
F= = 1.732 cm
2.4 × 109 4.3

F
then, Lp = 1
×2
Fig.2. The disturbance method at the end of the patch
 2h   πF   2
1 + ln 2h  + 1.7726 
6) Power Divider: One technique that can support  πε r  
F  
impedance matching in transmission lines, especially for
microstrip antenna array is the power divider. In this case the 1.732
Lp = ×2
1
method of Wilkinson is a technique commonly used. Fig.3  2 × 0.6   3.14 × 1.732   2
shows the method of Wilkinson power divider [9]. 1 + ln 2 × 0.16  + 1.7726 
 3.14 × 4 .3 × 1.732    

= 28.7 mm.
To find the value of the transmission channel width (W) done
using (4):
1
50  4.3 + 1  2 4.3 − 1  0.11 
A=   +  0.23 + 
60  2  4.3 + 1  4.3 
A = 1.5156
Fig. 3. N-Ways Wilkoinson Combiner
then,
In the method of Wilkinson, the value of the impedance Z W 8e A W 8e1.15156
= 2A ; = 2×1.15156
is given by the following equation h e −2 h e −2
Z = Z0 (10) W = 3.11 mm

Where N is the number of branching points and Z0 is the
impedance enter the beginning. T-Junction power divider is a
common technique used mainly in the configuration of the
array antenna. There are two types of T-Junction 50Ω which
can be used as a power divider as shown in Fig. 4.
C. Simulation and Results
1) Single Element:
From the results of design calculations, then input into the
design of CST Microwave Studio software. The initial design
results of single element of a trunced microstrip antenna are
shown in Fig.4, and TABLE II presents the summary result of
its dimension.

Fig. 4. T-Junction 50 Ω

III. ANTENA DESIGN AND SIMULATION Fig. 4. Single element of a truncated microstrip antenna
Before designing the feeder of 2 x 2 microstrip antenna
array configuration, the first determine the feeder of a single Fig.5 shows S11 parameter of of single element of a
element microstrip antenna. The process is intended as the truncated microstrip antenna from simulation result. It shows
basis of the data that will be used in the design of microstrip the centre frequency value equal to 2,406 GHz, return loss
antenna array 2 x 2 elements. Of predetermined parameters equal to -13.411 dB, axial ratio 2.646 dB.
can be specified dimensions of the patch antenna to be
designed. Results obtained calculation and iteration length (Lp)
through (1) and (2) [1]. As for the transmission channel width
(W)

89
 TABLE II. SUMMARY OF DIMENSION OF ONE ELEMENT TRUNCATED
MICROSTRIP ANTENNA DESIGN then, W 8e A W 8e2.077
= 2A ; = 2×2.077
h e −2 h e −2
No: Description Units
W = 1.65 mm
1. Substrat length side (L) 35.0 mm
2. Patch length side (Lp) 28.7 mm • The width of the 35.335Ω feeder can be computed by
3. Substrat hight (h) 1.6 mm 1
35.335  4.3 + 1  2 4.3 − 1  0.11 
4. Substrct slits (Lg) 5.0 mm A=   +  0.23 + 
60  2  4.3 + 1  4.3 
5. Conductor high (tm) 0.35 mm A = 1.1154
6. Transmision line width (w) 3.11 mm
Then, W 8e A W 8e1.1154
= 2A ; = 2×1.1154
h e −2 h e −2
W = 5.32 mm

The design results of the 2x2 elements truncated microstrip

antenna are shown in Fig.5, and TABLE II presents the
S11 (dB)

summary result of its dimension.

Fig. 5. S11 parameter of single element of a truncated microstrip antenna

2) The 2 x 2 Element Array:

Before designing an array with a 2x2 element array
element, first design the T-junction of the array element. Fig.5
shows that the input impedance (Z0 ) used is equal to 50Ω. T- Fig.7. The 2x2 elements of a truncated microstrip array antenna preliminary
design
Junction which is used to connect between elements using the
impedance (Z) of 70.7 Ω . While the four elements are TABLE III. SUMMARY OF DIMENSION OF 2X2 ELEMENTS
connected by using the T-Junction with the impedance of TRUNCATED MICROSTRIP ARRAY ANTENNA DESIGN
35.335Ω . The width of antenna feeder can be obtained by
No: Description Units
using (3) and (4). For the length of the feeder can be changed
according to the distance patch designed. 1. Substrat length side (L) 60.0 mm
2. Patch length side (Lp) 28.7 mm
3. Distance between patch (d) 19.61 mm
4. Feeder length 70.7 Ω (j) 5.874 mm
5. Feeder length 35.335 Ω (jb) 17.024 mm
6. Truncated corner (slits) 5.98 mm
7. Conductor hight (tm) 0.035 mm
8. Trans.Line 35.335 Ω wide (wb) 5.32 mm
9. Trans.Line 50 Ω wide (wp) 3.11 mm
10. Trans.Line 70.7 Ω wide (wt) 1.65 mm

Fig.6. T-junction for the 2x2 elements a truncated microstrip array

antenna Fig.8 shows S11 parameter of of 2x2 elements truncated
microstrip antenna from simulation result. It shows the centre
• The width of the 70.7 Ω feeder can be computed by using (4) frequency value equal to 2.424 GHz, upper frequency of
1 2.4524 GHz, and lower frequency of 2.3938 GHz, return loss
70.7  4.3 + 1  2 4.3 − 1  0.11  equal to -17.742 dB, axial ratio 2.697 dB. The bandwith of
A=   +  0.23 + 
60  2  4.3 + 1  4.3  antenna is 79.9 MHz.
A = 2.077

90
 2.38 GHz with a return loss of -19.34, and the VSWR is 1.551
and has a bandwidth of 59 MHz.
S11 (dB)

Fig. 8. S11 parameter of 2x2 elements truncated microstrip antenna design

Fig. 11. Measurement of S11 antenna using Vector Network Analyzer

Anritsu MS2034B

Fig. 12 and 13 show the performance curve of S11 and

VSWR

VSWR, but simulations and measurements have a little

Fig. 9. VSWR of 2x2 elements truncated microstrip antenna
IV. MEASUREMENT RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Fig.10 shows a prototype of trancated microstrip square
array antenna 2x2 elements result of fabrication. Measurement
parameters of this antenna, including S11 or return loss,
radiation pattern, polarization, and gain. This measurement is
divided into two stages, the first is the measurement of retrun
differences. This is because the material specifications in CST
Microwave Studio and the material specifications in the field
or realtization are different. In CST Microwave Studio, the
material PCB FR-4 Epoxy, in which there is a dielectric
substrate with dielectric constant (εr = 4.7, tan δ = 0.02),
height of 1.6 mm. In the field or realization of PCB FR-4
Epoxy, in which there is a dielectric substrate with dielectric
constant εr = 4.7, height of 1.6 mm, but tan δ is unknown. This
factor makes performance curves in simulations and
measurements have a differences.
S11 (dB)

loss by using Vector Network Analyzer Anritsu MS 2034B

with a frequency of 500 KHz - 4GHz. Stage two is the
measurement radiation pattern, polarization, and gain of the
antenna as a spectrum analyzer, Standard Signal Generator
(SSG) and standard antenna.

Frequency / GHz
Fig. 12. Comparation of S11 simulation and measurement result
VSWR

(a) (b)
Fig.10. The prototype of a truncated microstrip square array antenna 2x2
elements (a) Front view (b) Back view

Fig. 11 shows the S11 antenna measurement process using
a Vector Network Anritsu MS2034B. The result of S11
measurement compared with the simulation shown in Fig.12,
and VSWR is shown in Fig.13. The result of S11 parameter of
antenna measurement result, the centre frequency value of
Frequency / GHz
Fig. 13. Comparation of VSWR simulation and measurement result
The radiation pattern of antenna is shown in Fig.14. The
main lobe and back lobe of the measurement shifts clockwise

91
with the radiation pattern that can be in the simulation results.
For the HPBW value of the measurement is 50o, while the
simulation result is 51.7o.
On the measurement of the axial ratio value is 2.53 dB,
which means having circular polarization. This value is not far
from the axial ratio value in the simulation, that is 2.697 dB.
Fig 14. Radiation pattern comparation of sumualtion result and measurement
of antenna
Based on the simulation result, at 2.4 GHz frequency the
gain value is 4.15 dBi. While on the measurement results at
2.4 GHz frequency, the gain value of 4.83 dBi. It has a
differenence gain of 0.68 dBi.
Gain (dBi)
Frequency / GHz
Fig.15. Gain of a prototype of a truncated microstrip square array antenna
2x2 elements
92
The best gain value is achieved at a working frequency of
2.4 GHz. This gain increase is influenced by the modified
form of the antenna.
V. CONCLUSION
Based on the result of measurement of antenna prototype
2x2 elements obtained result that antenna have character as
follow: the centre frequency value 2.38 GHz, return loss
(S11) of -19.34 dB or VSWR of 1.551 with bandwidth of 59
MHz, gain of 4.83 dBi, with a 50o HPBW value, antenna has
circular polarization with axial ratio of 2.53 dB.
References
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