Microstrip Patch Antenna for the Applications of
WLAN Systems using S-Band
Fardeen Mahbub Shouherdho Banerjee Akash
2021 IEEE 11th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC) | 978-1-6654-1490-6/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/CCWC51732.2021.9376114
Department of EEE Department of EEE
American International American International
Unversity-Bangladesh (AIUB) Unversity-Bangladesh (AIUB)
Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh
mahbubfardeen1998@gmail.com akashbanerjee906@gmail.com
Raja Rashidul Hasan
Department of EEE
American International
Unversity-Bangladesh (AIUB)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
hemal@aiub.edu
Abstract—The popularity, demand, and necessity of WLAN
systems are vastly growing day by day. Since WLAN systems’
future requires higher gain and efficiency, considering that a
rectangular microstrip patch antenna has been designed in this
paper, which is carried out with the CST Studio Suite 2016
software. The proposed model has a better Return Loss (S1,1) and
a sound efficiency characteristic. The operating frequency of
2.3025 GHz (S-band) was applied here, one of the vital frequency
bands for the WLAN systems. The patch’s architectonic formation
is 60.46*78.73*1.7 mm3, with the help of which a Return Loss (S1,1)
of -40.35952 dB, a gain of 5.93 dB, VSWR of 1.019375, and
directivity of 6.992 dBi have been achieved. The determined
efficiency of 84.81%, a bandwidth of 75.2 MHz, and a surface
current of 35.65 A/m from the proposed model is a better WLAN
system considering its healthy prospects. Considering these
parameters, the designed antenna can be a worthy upgrade for the
WLAN systems soon.
Keywords—WLAN, S-Band, Patch Antenna, Feedline,
Millimeter-Wave, Return Loss, Gain, Efficiency, CST
I. INTRODUCTION
A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is a type of
computer network infrastructure that incorporates several
devices using wireless networking to form a local area network
(LAN) within a small area [1]. WLAN is an actual
implementation of wireless communication technology that
uses license-free commercial, science, and medical frequency
bands due to high-speed networking between PCs, computers,
mobile phones, and other devices in the environment [2].
Wireless data networks have developed and continue to develop
using a range of innovations, such as 2G/3G [3]. The effect of
such varied technology on the use of frequency bands in various
technologies would require different frequency ranges, such as
WLAN, which is likely to be a popular candidate to service
wireless data soon. There is also a need to build (band) antenna
978-0-7381-4394-1/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE
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Sayed Abdul Kadir Al-Nahiun Rashedul Islam
Department of EEE Department of EEE
American International American International
Unversity-Bangladesh (AIUB) Unversity-Bangladesh (AIUB)
Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh
nahiunkf42@gmail.com saydulbabar147570@gmail.com
Md. Abdur Rahman
Department of EEE
American International
Unversity-Bangladesh (AIUB)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
arahman@aiub.edu
for WLAN applications [4]. WLAN standard specifies multiple
bandwidths and many operating frequencies worldwide, such
that S-band antennas are needed for the potential
communication terminal to accommodate these applications.
Modern antennas must conform with the S or wideband
specifications to have adequate coverage for future operational
bands. The antenna must also be compact enough to be
mounted inside a minimizing wireless communication device
[5].
With the advancement of wireless technologies, various
antennas are used for WLAN applications [6]. Microstrip Patch
Antennas is the best choice due to increased data transmission
speed, reliability, lightweight, and lower production costs [7].
There are several other bands targeting WLAN systems, one of
which is 2.3 GHz. Proceeding with these millimeter-wave
bands would cause more problems in constructing antennas for
smartphone devices and base station towers [8]. There are,
however, several negative concerns related to the use of
millimeter-wave wavelengths, such as scatter loss, direction
loss, signal attenuation, and ambient distractions [9]. To
address these challenges, high gain and high directional
antennas are required that can be used to overcome the
difficulties of millimeter-wave frequencies, such as path loss
and propagation loss [10]. In this paper, the high rectangular
microstrip patch antenna incorporates a high realized gain of
5.93 dB and a higher return loss of -40.35952 dB, which are
significant criteria to address the potential problems of WLAN
Systems. The designed model has achieved an efficiency of
over 84% with a bandwidth of 75.2 MHz. The proposed antenna
model also offers higher convinced gain and very high return
losses than many other works listed, ensuring that the raised
architecture works more effectively.
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 II. THEORY AND METHODOLOGY Using the calculated value of ΔL, the patch’s actual length
For simplified analysis and better performance of the is determined using Equation 5 [11].
WLAN Systems, a rectangular-shaped microstrip patch antenna     ∆ (5)

operating at 2.3 GHz has been proposed. Figure 1 shows the
geometric orientation of the proposed model in free space.
Before that, in the beginning, the frequency spectrum consisting
of the maximum and minimum magnitude of the frequencies
was set as 3 GHz and 1.5 GHz. After that, the substrate material
FR-4 (lossy) along with the operating frequency of 2.3 GHz
were selected, which was used simultaneously to measure the
width of the patch (W) and the length of the patch (L) using
Equation (1) [11].
Width of Patch,


  
 

Following that, the respective values of the Ground Plane
Width, Wg, and the Ground Plane Length, Lg are calculated by
using the following Equations [11].
Lg=2*L & Wg=2*W
Here L is the patch’s actual length, and W is the actual
width of the patch.
However, the Height of the Substrate, hs, has been chosen
randomly, with the dimensions of 1.7mm. After that, the
Feedline Insertion, Fi has been calculated that consists of the
dielectric constant and the actual length of the patch using
(1)
Equation (6) [11].
   .   .  
.   .   .  

.      (6)


The proposed model of the antenna was connected to a 50-

ohm inset feed transmission feedline. However, the gap
between the patch and the feedline is 1 mm. In addition to it,
the value of the Ground Thickness, ht was randomly selected
and using Equation (7), the Width of Feedline, Wf was
determined [11].
.   
   .    (7)
 .
 

Fig. 1. The Geometry of the proposed Microstrip patch antenna (in free space)

In Equation (1), the Co represents the electromagnetic wave Here, Z0 represents the input impedance (in ohm), and ht
velocity in the free space which is 3*108 m/s. The fr represents is the ground thickness in the range of mm.
the operating frequency of 2.3 GHz and a dielectric constant Ɛr, Considering all the above Equations, all the required
which equals 4.3. parameters were determined. The microstrip patch antenna’s
Using Equation (2), the Effective Dielectric Constant, εreff is proposed model was designed using the Computer Simulation
calculated [11]. Technology (CST) Studio Suite 2016 software.
       .
      
III. DESIGN SPECIFICATION
  
(2)
The simulated design, its geometry, along with its
Here, the h represents the thickness of the substrate of 1.7 respective different views, were determined using CST.
mm, and W represents the patch’s width expressed in terms of
mm.
Then, using the calculated value of the Effective Dielectric
Constant, εreff the Effective Length, Leff is calculated using
Equation (3) [11].

 
  (3)
The path of the antenna is electrically longer compared to
the physical dimensions due to the fringing factor. Therefore,
to determine the patch’s actual length, this fringing factor is
subtracted from the effective length [11].

  .  ε  . 
∆  .   
ε  .    . 
(4)

Here ΔL represents the length extension. Fig. 2. Perspective View (in free space)

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 Figure 2-7 respectively shows the perspective, front, back, The parameters that have been used in this proposed
sideways, top and bottom views of the proposed model of the rectangular microstrip patch antenna are given below:
microstrip patch antenna. TABLE I. Parameters of the Proposed Model
Dimension
Parameter Descriptions along with their symbols
(mm)
Width of Patch, W 39.365
Length of Patch, L 30.23
Width of the Ground plane, Wg 78.73
Length of the Ground plane, Lg 60.46
Width of Feedline, Wf 3.2
Feedline Insertion, Fi 8.9295
Height of Substrate, hs 1.7
The gap between the patch and the Feedline, Gpf 1
Ground Thickness, ht 0.035

IV. SIMULATIONS AND RESULTS

All the simulation results of the implemented rectangular
microstrip patch antenna for WLAN Systems have been
successfully carried out. Simulations includes the Return Loss,
Fig. 3. Front View of the Proposed Design
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR), Directivity, 2D and 3D
Radiation Pattern, Radiation Efficiency and Surface Current.
All the simulation Figures are given below-
A. Return Loss
In the telecommunication systems genre, a Return Loss (S1,1)
represents the magnitude of the signal that returns or reflects off
the antenna either due to the optical fiber or the transmission line
system’s discontinuity [12]. As shown in Figure 8, the proposed
patch antenna resonates at 2.3 GHz, consisting of a Return Loss
(S1,1) of -40.35952 dB and bandwidth of 75.2 MHz. However,
this value of the S1,1 parameter was achieved using the
waveguide port configurations, where a sharp lower peak was
achieved successfully.

Fig. 4. Back View of the Proposed Design

Fig. 5. Left View & Right View of the Proposed Design (respectively)
Fig. 8. S-Parameter vs the Frequency (in free space)

B. VSWR
It is also known as Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR).
Fig. 6. Top View of the Proposed Design A lower magnitude of the VSWR means that the antenna is
matched with the transmission line, and therefore more power
is delivered to the antenna. Thus, it can be deduced that the
lower the VSWR, the better it is. Figure 9 represents the VSWR
of the proposed antenna model, which has a value of 1.019375
Fig. 7. Bottom View of the Proposed Design at the operating frequency of 2.3025 GHz.

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Fig. 9. VSWR vs the Frequency (in free space)
C. Radiation Pattern
In the field of Antenna, Radiation Pattern resembles the
directional dependence of the strength of the radio waves from
the antenna or other sources. Figures 10 and 11 respectively
represent the 3D and 2D radiation pattern of the proposed
model, which has a directivity of 6.992dBi.
Fig. 10. 3D Radiation Pattern (in free space)
Fig. 11. 2D Radiation Pattern (in free space)
D. Radiation Efficiency
Radiation Efficiency measures how a particular antenna
efficiently radiates or receives radio waves at a specific
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frequency. Figure 12 represents the proposed antenna model’s
radiation efficiency, which has a value of -4.0435531 dB.
Fig. 12. Radiation Efficiency Curve (in free space)
E. Surface Current
Surface current is an electric current induced by an applied
electromagnetic field, specifically in metallic antennas. As
shown in figure 13, the antenna's proposed model has a surface
current is 35.65 A/m.
Fig. 13. Surface Current of the proposed antenna (in free space)
F. Smith Chart
It is a particular tool, as shown in Figure 14, which can be
used for visualizing the impedance of a transmission line and
antenna systems, considering the frequency as the function. The
smith chart of the proposed model is shown in Figure 14.
Fig. 14. Z Smith Chart of the proposed Antenna (in free space)
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 TABLE II. Summary of the Obtained Parameters of the proposed antenna dB, a gain magnitude of 5.93 dB, and bandwidth of 75.2MHz,
Antenna Parameter Values making the model strong in its sector. The model’s size is very
S1,1 -40.35952 dB compact and has a radiation efficiency of -4.0435531 dB and
Bandwidth 75.2 MHz an overall efficiency of 84.81%, which indeed takes its
Gain 5.93 dB usefulness to a staggering level. In Table II, all the essential
VSWR 1.019375
Efficiency 84.81%
parameters have been summarized and keeping all these
Radiation Efficiency -4.0435531 dB parameters into account can assure that the raised model could
Directivity 6.992 dBi be an excellent option for the WLAN systems considering its
Surface Current 35.65 A/m rational expectation and current conditions. However,
considering the future demand, these parameters can be
V. RESULT ANALYSIS upgraded as per the requirements for overcoming the WLAN
This study has proposed a design for a 2.3 GHz rectangular Systems challenges and enhancing the antenna’s performance.
microstrip patch antenna for the WLAN applications. At first,
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