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2019 Introduction To Microstrip Antennas
2019 Introduction To Microstrip Antennas
David R. Jackson
Dept. of ECE
University of Houston
1
Contact Information
David R. Jackson
Dept. of ECE
N308 Engineering Building 1
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4005
Phone: 713-743-4426
Fax: 713-743-4444
Email: djackson@uh.edu
2
Purpose of Short Course
3
Additional Resources
http://courses.egr.uh.edu/ECE/ECE6345/
Note:
You are welcome to use anything that you find on this website,
as long as you please acknowledge the source.
4
Recordando
5
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
6
Notation
c speed of light in free space c 2.99792458 108 m/s
k1 k0 r
k1 wavenumber of substrate
0
0 intrinsic impedance of free space 0 376.7303
0
1 intrinsic impedance of substrate 1 0 / r
7
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
8
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
Also called “patch antennas”
One of the most useful antennas at microwave frequencies (f > 1 GHz).
It usually consists of a metal “patch” on top of a grounded dielectric substrate.
The patch may be in a variety of shapes, but rectangular and circular are the
most common.
Elliptical Triangular
10
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
History
11
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
Advantages of Microstrip Antennas
12
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
Disadvantages of Microstrip Antennas
Only used at microwave frequencies and above (the substrate becomes too
large at lower frequencies).
Applications include:
Satellite communications
Microwave communications
GPS antennas
14
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
Microstrip
antenna
Filter
DC supply Micro-D
connector K-connector
LNA
PD
Fiber input with
collimating lens Diplexer
Microstrip Antenna Integrated into a System: HIC Antenna Base-Station for 28-43 GHz
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Rodney B. Waterhouse)
15
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
Arrays
22 array
17
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
Rectangular patch
Note:
The fields and current L es la dimensión resonante (dirección del flujo de corriente). El
ancho W se elige normalmente para ser mayor que L (para
are approximately obtener un mayor ancho de banda). Sin embargo, normalmente
independent of y for the y W < 2L (para evitar problemas con el modo (0,2)).
dominant (1,0) mode.
W Js
x
L
h r
Note:
L is the resonant dimension (direction of current flow). The width W is
usually chosen to be larger than L (to get higher bandwidth). However,
usually W < 2L (to avoid problems with the (0,2) mode).
W = 1.5L is typical.
18
Overview of Microstrip Antennas
Circular Patch
a x
h r
The location of the feed determines the direction of current flow and hence
the polarization of the radiated field.
19
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
20
Feeding Methods
21
Feeding Methods
z Coaxial Feed
r h
x
y
Note:
A feed along the centerline at y = W/2
is the most common
Surface current (this minimizes higher-order modes
and cross-pol).
Advantages: y
Simple
Directly compatible with coaxial cables
Easy to obtain input match by adjusting feed position
x0 , y0
W
Disadvantages:
Significant probe (feed) radiation for thicker substrates x
Significant probe inductance for thicker substrates (limits L
bandwidth)
Not easily compatible with arrays
23
Feeding Methods
Inset Feed
Advantages:
Microstrip line
Simple
Allows for planar feeding
Easy to use with arrays
Easy to obtain input match
Disadvantages:
Significant line radiation for thicker substrates
For deep notches, patch current and radiation pattern may show distortion
24
Feeding Methods
Inset Feed
L
The coefficients A and B depend on the notch width S but (to a good
approximation) not on the line width Wf .
Patch
Microstrip line
Microstrip
Top view line
Disadvantages:
Requires multilayer fabrication
Alignment is important for input match
26
Feeding Methods
Gap-coupled Feed
Advantages:
Allows for planar feeding
Can allow for a match even with high edge impedances, where a notch
might be too large (e.g., when using a high permittivity substrate)
Gap Patch
Patch
Disadvantages:
Requires accurate gap fabrication
Requires full-wave design
27
Feeding Methods
Aperture-coupled Patch (ACP)
Advantages:
Allows for planar feeding Slot
Disadvantages: Slot
Requires multilayer fabrication
Alignment is important for input match Microstrip line
28
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
29
Basic Principles of Operation
The basic principles are illustrated here for a rectangular patch, but the
principles apply similarly for other patch shapes.
We use the cavity model to explain the operation of the patch antenna.
h n̂
PMC
30
Basic Principles of Operation
Main Ideas:
The patch acts approximately as a resonant cavity (with short-circuit (PEC)
walls on top and bottom, open-circuit (PMC) walls on the edges).
Radiation is accounted for by using an effective loss tangent for the substrate.
PMC
h n̂
31
Basic Principles of Operation
A microstrip antenna can radiate well, even with a thin substrate,
because of resonance.
As the substrate gets thinner the patch current radiates less, due to image
cancellation (current and image are separated by 2h).
However, the Q of the resonant cavity mode also increases, making the
patch currents stronger at resonance.
These two effects cancel, allowing the patch to radiate well even for thin
substrates (though the bandwidth decreases).
z 1
Js Q
h
r Js h
x
32
Basic Principles of Operation
Thin Substrate Approximation
Hence E x, y, z zˆ Ez x, y
E z x, y
h
33
Basic Principles of Operation
Thin Substrate Approximation
1
H E
j
1
zEˆ z x, y
j
1
j
zˆ Ez x, y
34
Basic Principles of Operation
Thin Substrate Approximation
1
H x, y
j
zˆ Ez x, y
Note:
The magnetic field is purely horizontal.
(The mode is TMz.)
E z x, y
h
H x, y
35
Basic Principles of Operation
Magnetic-wall Approximation
H tbot 0
36
Basic Principles of Operation
Magnetic-wall Approximation
nˆ H x, y 0 tˆ
x
PMC
H tedge 0
n̂
h h
37
Basic Principles of Operation
Magnetic-wall Approximation
y
nˆ H x, y 0
L
1
H x, y
j
zˆ E z x, y
Js n̂
W
Hence,
tˆ
nˆ zˆ Ez x, y 0 x
Ez h
n̂
0 (Neumann B.C.)
n PMC
38
Basic Principles of Operation
Resonance Frequencies
y
Ez k Ez 0
2 2
k k1 k0 r
E z x, y
(TMmn mode)
x
L
m 2 n 2
We then have k1 Ez 0
2
L W Note:
We ignore the loss tangent of
the substrate for the
m 2 n 2 calculation of the resonance
Hence k1 0
2
frequencies.
L W
39
Basic Principles of Operation
Resonance Frequencies
We thus have y
E z x, y
2 2
m n
k
1
2
L W
PMC
W
Recall that
k1 k0 r 0 0 r
x
2 f L
Hence
2 2
c m n
f c 1/ 0 0
2 r L W
40
Basic Principles of Operation
Resonance Frequencies
y
E z x, y
Hence f f mn
(resonance frequency of (m,n) mode)
PMC
W
where
x
2 2 L
c m n
f mn
2 r L W
41
Basic Principles of Operation
Dominant (1,0) mode
y
This structure operates as a “fat planar dipole.”
Current
This mode is usually used because the
radiation pattern has a broadside beam.
c 1 W
f10
2 r L
x
x L
Ez cos
L The current is maximum in the middle of
the patch, when plotted along x.
1 x
H x, y yˆ sin
j L L The resonant length L is about 0.5
guided wavelengths in the x direction
1 x (see next slide).
J s xˆ sin
j0 L L
42
Basic Principles of Operation
Resonance Frequency of Dominant (1,0) Mode
0 / 2
(1,0) mode: k1 L L d / 2
k1 2 / d r
Comment:
A higher substrate permittivity allows for a smaller antenna (miniaturization),
but with a lower bandwidth.
43
Basic Principles of Operation
Resonance Frequency of Dominant Mode
The resonance frequency calculation can be improved by adding a
“fringing length extension” L to each edge of the patch to get an
“effective length” Le .
Le L 2L
c 1 L L
f10
2 r Le L
x
Le
Hammerstad formula:
eff W
r 0.3 h 0.264
L / h 0.412
eff 0.258 W 0.8
r h
1/ 2
r 1 1 h
reff r 1 12
2 2 W
Note:
Even though the Hammerstad formula c 1
involves an effective permittivity, we still use f10
the actual substrate permittivity in the 2 r L 2 L
resonance frequency formula.
45
Basic Principles of Operation
Resonance Frequency of Dominant Mode
Note: L 0.5 h
46
Basic Principles of Operation
fN = f / f0 Results: Resonance Frequency
1
Hammerstad
NORMALIZED FREQUENCY
Measured
0.95
0.9
0.85
0.8
0.75
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
hh // 00
r = 2.2
The resonance frequency has been normalized by the
W/ L = 1.5 zero-order value (without fringing).
47
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
48
General Characteristics
Bandwidth
49
General Characteristics
Width Restriction for a Rectangular Patch
c 1
W 2L f 01
2 r W
c
2
m n
2 c 1
f mn f10
2 r L
2 r L W
c 2
f 02
c 1 1 2 r W
f 02 f 01
r W 2L
fc
W
f01 f10 f02
W = 1.5 L is typical.
L
50
General Characteristics
51
General Characteristics
30
Results: Bandwidth
25
rr =10.8
10.8
BANDWIDTH (%)
20
15
10
5 2.2
2.2
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
hh/ / 0
(x0, y0)
W
L L
x
53
General Characteristics
Resonant Input Resistance (cont.)
Note:
The patch is usually fed along the centerline (y0 = W / 2)
to maintain symmetry and thus minimize excitation of undesirable modes
(which cause cross-pol).
y
Desired mode: (1,0)
x
L
54
General Characteristics
Resonant Input Resistance (cont.)
For a given mode, it can be shown that the resonant input resistance is
proportional to the square of the cavity-mode field at the feed point.
y
Rin Ez2 x0 , y0
(x0, y0)
For (1,0) mode:
W
x0
Rin cos 2
L x
L
Y. T. Lo, D. Solomon, and W. F. Richards, “Theory and Experiment on Microstrip Antennas,”
IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat., vol. AP-27, no. 3 (March 1979): 137–145.
55
General Characteristics
Resonant Input Resistance (cont.)
y
Hence, for (1,0) mode:
x0 (x0, y0)
Rin Redge cos 2
L W
x
L
56
General Characteristics
Results: Resonant Input Resistance
200
The solid curves are from a CAD formula
(given later.) y0 = W/2
INPUT RESISTANCE (
150
r r=10.8
10.8 Region where loss is important
x0 = L/4
100 y
2.2
2.2
50 (x0, y0)
W
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
h //
h
0
L x
Pr
er
Ptot
Conductor loss
Dielectric loss
Surface-wave excitation
58
General Characteristics
Radiation Efficiency (cont.)
TM0
surface wave
Js
x
cos () pattern
59
General Characteristics
Radiation Efficiency (cont.)
Hence,
Pr Pr
er
Ptot Pr Pc Pd Psw
60
General Characteristics
Radiation Efficiency (cont.)
Some observations:
Conductor and dielectric loss is more important for thinner substrates (the
Q of the cavity is higher, and thus the resonance is more seriously affected
by loss).
Conductor loss is usually more important than dielectric loss for typical
substrate thicknesses and loss tangents.
1 2
Rs
Rs is the surface resistance of the metal.
The skin depth of the metal is .
0
Rs f
2
61
General Characteristics
Radiation Efficiency (cont.)
For a typical substrate such as r = 2.2, the radiation efficiency is maximum for
h / 0 0.02.
62
General Characteristics
Results: Efficiency (Conductor and dielectric losses are neglected.)
100
2.2
2.2
80
EFFICIENCY (%)
60
r10.8
10.8
40
exact
CAD
20
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
hh //
00
r = 2.2 or 10.8 W/L = 1.5 Note: CAD plot uses the Pozar formula (given later).
63
General Characteristics
Results: Efficiency (All losses are accounted for.)
100
2.2
2.2
80
EFFICIENCY (%)
exact
60
CAD
rr = 10.8
10.8
40
tan 0.001
20 3.0 107 [S/m]
0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
hh // 00
r = 2.2 or 10.8 W/L = 1.5 Note: CAD plot uses the Pozar formula (given later).
64
General Characteristics
Radiation Pattern
y
E-plane: co-pol is E
L H-plane: co-pol is E
Js
W
x E plane
Probe
Note:
For radiation patterns, it is usually more convenient to
place the origin at the middle of the patch
H plane (this keeps the formulas as simple as possible).
65
General Characteristics
Radiation Patterns (cont.)
The truncation of the ground plane will cause edge diffraction, which
tends to degrade the pattern by introducing:
Pattern distortion is more severe in the E-plane, due to the angle dependence
of the vertical polarization E on the ground plane.
(It varies as cos ()).
66
General Characteristics
Radiation Patterns
y E varies as cos
Space wave
L
Js
W
E plane
H plane
67
General Characteristics
Radiation Patterns
E-plane pattern
60 -20 -60
-30
120 240
150 210
180 68
General Characteristics
Radiation Patterns
H-plane pattern
45 -10 -45
-20
-30
135 225
180
69
General Characteristics
Directivity
70
General Characteristics
Results: Directivity (relative to isotropic)
10
r r=2.2
2.2
8
DIRECTIVITY (dB)
10.8
10.8
6
4
exact
CAD
2
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
hh// 0
0
72
CAD Formulas
CAD formulas for the important properties of the
rectangular microstrip antenna will be shown.
Radiation efficiency
Bandwidth (Q)
Resonant input resistance
Directivity
73
CAD Formulas
Radiation Efficiency
erhed
er
Rsave 1 3 r L 1
1 erhed d
0 h / 0 16 p c W
1 h / 0
Comment:
The efficiency becomes small as the substrate gets thin,
where if there is dielectric or conductor loss.
1
Rs surface resistance of metal Rsave Rspatch Rsground / 2
2
Psphed 1
e hed
r
Psphed Pswhed Pswhed
1 hed
Psp
where
1
2 k0 h 80 2c1
hed 2
Psp
0
1
3
1 3
2 k0 h 60 1
3
Pswhed
0 r
Note: When we say “unit amplitude” here, we assume peak (not RMS) values.
75
CAD Formulas
Radiation Efficiency (cont.)
Hence, we have
1
ehed
r 3
3 1 1
1 k0 h 1
4 c1 r
76
CAD Formulas
Radiation Efficiency (cont.)
1 2/5
c1 1 2
r r
a2 3 1
p 1 k0 W a2 2a4
2 4 2
2
0 k W c 2 0 k L
10 560 5
1
a2 c2 k0 W k0 L
2 2
70
c2 0.0914153
a2 0.16605
a4 0.00761
77
CAD Formulas
Improved formula for HED surface-wave power (due to Pozar)
r x 1 2 3/2
k 2
0
P hed
0 0 Note: x0 in this formula is
8 r 1 x1 (k0 h) x02 1 1 r2 x1
sw
not the feed location!
1 k0 h s
0 s tan k0 h s 1 tan k0 h s
s cos k0 h s
2
s r 1
D. M. Pozar, “Rigorous Closed-Form Expressions for the Surface-Wave Loss of Printed
Antennas,” Electronics Letters, vol. 26, pp. 954-956, June 1990.
Note: The above formula for the surface-wave power is different from that given in Pozar’s paper
by a factor of 2, since Pozar used RMS instead of peak values.
78
CAD Formulas
Bandwidth
1 Rsave 1 16 p c1 h W 1
BW d hed
2
0 h / 0 3 r 0 L
er
1
Q Comments:
f 2 f1
BW (multiply by 100 if you want to get %)
f0
79
CAD Formulas
Quality Factor Q
Us
Q 0 U s energy stored in patch cavity
P
P power that is radiated and dissipated by patch
1 P
Q 0U s
P Pd Pc Psp Psw
1 1 1 1 1
Q Qd Qc Qsp Qsw
80
CAD Formulas
Q Components
Qd 1 / tan
3 r L 1
Qsp The constants p and c1 were defined previously.
16 pc1 W h / 0
erhed 1
Qsw Qsp e hed
hed
r 3
1 e 3 1 1
r
1 k0 h 1
4 c1 r
81
CAD Formulas
Resonant Input Resistance
Probe-feed Patch
x0
R R max
in Redge cos 2
L
40 L h
W 0
Redge
R 1 16 p c1 W h 1
d s L hed
0 h / 0 3
r 0 er
Comments:
For a lossless patch, the resonant resistance is approximately independent of
the substrate thickness. For a lossy patch it tends to zero as the substrate gets
very thin. For a lossless patch it is inversely proportional to the square of the
patch width and it is proportional to the substrate permittivity.
82
CAD Formulas
Approximate CAD formula for probe (feed) reactance (in Ohms)
0 2
Xp k0 h ln
2 r k0 a
This is based on an infinite parallel-plate model.
r 2a h
X p Lp
0 0 / 0 376.7303
83
CAD Formulas
Observations:
0 2
Xp k0 h ln
2 r k0 a
Important point:
If the substrate gets too thick, the probe reactance will make it difficult
to get an input match, and the bandwidth will suffer.
35 CAD
exact Rectangular patch
30
r = 2.2
25
Xf ()
y
20
W/L = 1.5
15
Note: “exact” means the cavity model with all infinite modes. (x0, y0) W
10 h = 0.0254 0
5
L L x a = 0.5 mm
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Center xr
X
r Edge
3 r
D k1h
2
tanc
pc1 r tan k1h
2
k1 k0 r
where
tanc x tan x / x
86
CAD Formulas
Directivity (cont.)
3
D
p c1
87
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
88
Radiation Pattern
There are two models often used for calculating the radiation pattern:
Electric current model
Magnetic current model
Note:
The origin is placed at the center of the patch,
at the top of the substrate, for the pattern calculations.
Patch
x
h Probe r
Coax feed
89
Radiation Pattern
Electric current model:
We keep the physical currents flowing on the patch (and feed).
Patch
x
h Probe r
Coax feed
J spatch J top
s Js
bot
J spatch
x
h r
probe
J s
90
Radiation Pattern
Magnetic current model:
We apply the equivalence principle and invoke the (approximate) PMC condition
at the edges.
Equivalence surface Patch
x
J se nˆ H
h Probe r
M se nˆ E
Coax feed
The equivalent
surface current is
approximately zero
on the top surface
x
(weak fields) and h M se M se r
the sides (PMC).
We can ignore it on
the ground plane (it
does not radiate). M se nˆ E
91
Radiation Pattern
Theorem
The electric and magnetic models yield identical patterns
at the resonance frequency of the cavity mode.
Assumption:
The electric and magnetic current models are based on the fields of a
single cavity mode, corresponding to an ideal cavity with PMC walls.
D. R. Jackson and J. T. Williams, “A Comparison of CAD Models for Radiation from Rectangular
Microstrip Patches,” Intl. Journal of Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Computer Aided Design, vol.
1, no. 2, pp. 236-248, April 1991.
92
Radiation Pattern
Comments on the Substrate Effects
D. R. Jackson and J. T. Williams, “A Comparison of CAD Models for Radiation from Rectangular
Microstrip Patches,” Intl. Journal of Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Computer Aided Design, vol. 1,
no. 2, pp. 236-248, April 1991.
93
Radiation Pattern
Comments on the Two Models
For the rectangular patch, the electric current model is the simplest since
there is only one electric surface current (as opposed to four edges).
For the rectangular patch, the magnetic current model allows us to classify
the “radiating” and “nonradiating” edges.
M se nˆ E
x
y
J s xˆ A10 cos
L “Radiating edges” x
Ez sin
L
Note:
Js On the nonradiating edges, the
W x magnetic currents are in opposite
directions across the centerline (x = 0).
M se
L “Nonradiating edges”
94
Radiation Pattern
Rectangular Patch Pattern Formula
(The formula is based on the electric current model.)
L
x
h εr
Infinite ground plane and substrate
H-plane
The origin is at the
center of the patch. y
(1,0) mode
W x E-plane
x
J s x cos
ˆ
L The probe is on the x axis.
L
95
Radiation Pattern
The far-field pattern can be determined by reciprocity.
ky W kx L
sin cos
WL 2 2
Ei (r , , ) Eihex r , ,
2 ky W 2 k L 2
x
2 2 2
y
i or
k x k0 sin cos
k y k0 sin sin Js
W x
The “hex” pattern is for a
horizontal electric dipole in the x direction,
sitting on top of the substrate.
L
D. R. Jackson and J. T. Williams, “A Comparison of CAD Models for Radiation from Rectangular
Microstrip Patches,” Intl. Journal of Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Computer Aided Design, vol. 1,
no. 2, pp. 236-248, April 1991.
96
Radiation Pattern
Ehex r , , E0 sin F
Ehex r , , E0 cos G
where
j 0 jk0 r
E0 e
4 r
2 tan k0 h N
F 1 TE
tan k0 h N j N sec
2 tan k0 h N cos
G cos 1 TM
r
tan k0 h N j cos
N
98
Input Impedance
Various models have been proposed over the years for calculating the
input impedance of a microstrip patch antenna.
Spectral-domain method
More challenging to implement
Accounts rigorously for both radiation and surface-wave excitation
Commercial software
Very accurate
Can be time consuming
99
Input Impedance
Comparison of the Three Simplest Models
CAD Circuit model of patch
RLC Circuit model of a Microstrip antenna Transmission lineof amodel
Transmission Line model Microstripof patch
antenna
50 60
40 50
40
30
30
20
Zin ( )
Zin ( )
20
10
10
0
0
leff includes all loses
-10
-10
-20 -20
1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57 1.58 1.59 1.6 1.61 1.62 1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57 1.58 1.59 1.6 1.61 1.62
Frequency (GHz) Frequency (GHz)
40
30
h 1.524 mm 3.0 107 S/m a 0.635mm
20
Note:
The mathematical justification of the CAD circuit model comes from a
cavity-model eigenfunction analysis.
102
Input Impedance
Probe-fed Patch
Near the resonance frequency, the patch cavity can be approximately modeled
as a resonant RLC circuit.
The resistance R accounts for radiation and losses.
A probe inductance Lp is added in series, to account for the “probe inductance”
of a probe feed.
L
Lp
Zin R C
103
Input Impedance
R
Z in j L p
f f0
1 jQ
f0 f
R 1
Q BW BW is defined here by SWR < 2.0 when the
0 L 2Q RLC circuit is fed by a matched line (Z0 = R).
1
0 2 f 0
LC
L
Lp
Zin R C
Z in Rin jX in
104
Input Impedance
R
Rin 2
f f 0 R max
Rin R
1 Q in f f0
f 0 f
R is the input resistance at the resonance of the patch cavity
(the frequency that maximizes Rin).
L
max C
R in R
f f0
105
Input Impedance
R
Z in j Lp
f f0
1 jQ
f0 f
The input resistance is determined once we know four parameters:
CAD formulas f0: the resonance frequency of the patch cavity
for all of these
four parameters
R: the input resistance at the cavity resonance frequency f0
have been given Q: the quality factor of the patch cavity
earlier.
Lp: the probe inductance
Lp (R, f0, Q)
L
C
Zin R
106
Input Impedance
Typical plot of input impedance
Z RLC
RRLC Without probe inductance
f
f0
X RLC
R
Rinres With probe inductance
Xp
f
f0 X
f res
107
Input Impedance
Results: Input Resistance vs. Frequency
Note: “exact” means the cavity model will all infinite modes.
80
Rectangular patch
70
60
CAD
50 exact
Rin ( )
40
Frequency where
30 the input resistance
20
is maximum (f0):
Rin = R
10
0
4 4.5 5 5.5 6
FREQUENCY (GHz)
20
Xp
0
-20
Shift due to probe reactance
-40
4 4.5 5 5.5 6
FREQUENCY (GHz)
Frequency where the
input impedance is real
Vary the length L first until you find the value that gives an input
reactance of zero at the desired frequency.
Then adjust the feed position x0 to make the real part of the input
impedance 50 at this frequency.
110
Design Example
Design a probe-fed rectangular patch antenna on a substrate having a relative permittivity of 2.33
and a thickness of 62 mils (0.1575 cm). (This is Rogers RT Duroid 5870.) Choose an aspect ratio of W
/ L = 1.5. The patch should resonate at the operating frequency of 1.575 GHz (the GPS L1 frequency).
Ignore the probe inductance in your design, but account for fringing at the patch edges when you
determine the dimensions. At the operating frequency the input impedance should be 50 (ignoring
the probe inductance). Assume an SMA connector is used to feed the patch along the centerline (at
y = W / 2), and that the inner conductor of the SMA connector has a radius of 0.635 mm. The copper
patch and ground plane have a conductivity of = 3.0 107 S/m and the dielectric substrate has a
loss tangent of tan = 0.001.
111
Design Example
Design a probe-fed rectangular patch antenna on a substrate having a relative permittivity of 2.33
and a thickness of 62 mils (0.1575 cm). (This is Rogers RT Duroid 5870.) Choose an aspect ratio of W
/ L = 1.5. The patch should resonate at the operating frequency of 1.575 GHz (the GPS L1 frequency).
Ignore the probe inductance in your design, but account for fringing at the patch edges when you
determine the dimensions. At the operating frequency the input impedance should be 50 (ignoring
the probe inductance). Assume an SMA connector is used to feed the patch along the centerline (at
y = W / 2), and that the inner conductor of the SMA connector has a radius of 0.635 mm. The copper
patch and ground plane have a conductivity of = 3.0 107 S/m and the dielectric substrate has a
loss tangent of tan = 0.001.
2) Find (f0, R, Xp, and Q) and plot the input impedance vs. frequency using the CAD circuit model.
3) Keep W/L = 1.5, but now vary the length L of the patch and the feed position until you find the
value that makes the input impedance exactly 50+j(0) at 1.575 GHz.
112
Design Example
Part 1
113
Design Example
Part 2 R
Z in jX p
f f
Results from the CAD formulas: 1 jQ 0
f0 f
f0 = 1.575 109 Hz
R = 50
60
Q = 57.5 50.255
Xp = 11.1 50
Rin
40
30
Rin( fghz)
20
Xin( fghz)
10
Xin
- 10
- 13.937
- 20
1.5 1.525 1.55 1.575 1.6 1.625 1.65
1.5
f (GHz)
fghz 1.65
114
Design Example
60
60
Part 3
50
After optimization:
40
L = 6.083 cm
30
x0 = 1.800 cm
Rin ( fghz)
20
Z in 50 j 0 Xin ( fghz)
10
0
y
- 10
Feed at (x0, y0) - 20
- 20
1.5 1.525 1.55 1.575 1.6 1.625 1.65
1.5 fghz 1.65
f (GHz)
y0 = W/2
W
x
L
115
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
116
Circular Polarization
2) Dual feed with delay line or 90o hybrid phase shifter (broader CP
bandwidth but uses more space).
117
Circular Polarization
Single Feed Method
(0,1)
The feed is on the diagonal.
The patch is nearly
(but not exactly) square.
(1,0)
W
L W
L
Basic principle: The two dominant modes (1,0) and (0,1) are
excited with equal amplitude, but with a 45o phase.
118
Circular Polarization
Design equations: y
fx fy
f CP
2
(0,1)
The optimum CP frequency is the
1
average of the x and y resonance BW
frequencies. 2Q W
(1,0)
(SWR < 2 )
1 x0 y0
f x f CP 1
2Q Top sign for LHCP,
x
bottom sign for RHCP. L
1
f y f CP 1
2Q
y y
L L
x x
L L
1
Linearly-polarized (LP) patch:
LP
BWSWR (SWR 2)
2Q
BW CP
SWR
Q
2
(SWR 2) BW CP
AR
0.348
Q
AR 2 (3dB)
121
Circular Polarization
Dual-Feed Method
y RHCP
Phase shift realized with delay line: L
P
L
P+g/4
122
Circular Polarization
Phase shift realized with 90o quadrature hybrid (branchline coupler)
y
RHCP
Z0 / 2 Z0 L
Z0
Feed
g/4 Z0
50 Ohm load L
g/4
123
Circular Polarization
Synchronous Rotation
Multiple elements are rotated in space and fed with phase shifts.
-180o
-90o
-270o
0o
Because of symmetry, radiation from higher-order modes (or probes)
tends to be reduced, resulting in good cross-pol.
124
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
125
Circular Patch
a x
h r
126
Circular Patch
Resonance Frequency
Ez cos m J m k1 PMC
a
k1 k0 r
Ez
0 J m k1a 0
a
127
Circular Patch
Resonance Frequency
J m k1a 0
a PMC
This gives us
k1a xmn
c
f mn
xmn c
1
2 r 0 0
128
Circular Patch
Resonance Frequency
Table of values for xmn
n /m 0 1 2 3 4 5
1 3.832 1.841 3.054 4.201 5.317 5.416
2 7.016 5.331 6.706 8.015 9.282 10.520
3 10.173 8.536 9.969 11.346 12.682 13.987
c
f11 x11 x11 1.841
2 a r
129
Circular Patch
Dominant mode: TM11
y y
x x
130
Circular Patch
Fringing extension
ae a a
c a PMC
f11
x11
2 ae r
a + a
“Long/Shen Formula”:
2h a h a
ae a 1 ln
2h 1.7726 or a ln
2h 1.7726
a r r
L. C. Shen, S. A. Long, M. Allerding, and M. Walton, "Resonant Frequency of a Circular Disk Printed-
Circuit Antenna," IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, vol. 25, pp. 595-596, July 1977.
131
Circular Patch
Patterns
(The patterns are based on the magnetic current model.)
2a
x
h εr
Infinite GP and substrate
H-plane
In patch cavity:
J1 k1 1
Ez , cos k1 k0 r
J1 k1a h
(The edge voltage has a maximum of one volt.)
132
Circular Patch
Patterns
E0
ER r , , 2 a tanc k z1h cos J1 k0 a sin Q
0
E0 J1 k0 a sin
E r , , 2 a
R
tanc k z1h sin P
0 k0 a sin
where
tanc ( x ) = tan ( x ) / x
2 jN
P cos 1 TE
cos
tan 0
k hN jN
sec
r j 0 jk0 r
2 j cos E0 e
N 4 r
Q 1 TM
r
tan k0 h N j cos
N N r sin 2
0
J12 k1 0
Rin Redge 2
J1 k1a
k1 k0 r
134
Circular Patch
Input Resistance (cont.)
1
Redge er
2 Psp
where er = radiation efficiency
/2
k0 a tanc2 k0 hN
2
Psp
80 0
Q J1 k0 a sin P J inc
2 2 2 2
k0 a sin sin d
J inc x J1 x / x
CAD Formula:
Psp (k0 a ) 2 I c
80 e0 1
e2 0.400000
e4 0.0785710
6
4 pc k0 a
2k
e2 k e6 7.27509 10 3
I c pc
3 k 0 e8 3.81786 10 4
e10 1.09839 10 5
e12 1.47731 107
136
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
137
Improving Bandwidth
138
Improving Bandwidth
Probe Compensation
L-shaped probe: As the substrate
thickness increases the
probe inductance limits
the bandwidth – so we
compensate for it.
Top view
139
Improving Bandwidth
SSFIP: Strip Slot Foam Inverted Patch (a version of the ACP).
Bandwidths greater than 25% have been achieved.
Increased bandwidth is due to the thick foam substrate and
also a dual-tuned resonance (patch+slot).
Foam
Microstrip
substrate
J.-F. Zürcher and F. E. Gardiol, Broadband Patch Antennas, Artech House, Norwood, MA, 1995.
140
Improving Bandwidth
Stacked Patches
Microstrip line
Slot
141
Improving Bandwidth
Stacked Patches
-5
-10
-30
-35
-40
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Frequency (GHz)
Stacked patch with ACP feed
100 90 80
11 0 70
0 60
12
50
1 30
40
14
0
30
15
16 0
20
170
10
0
-1 70 180
0
0.2
0.5
10
1
-1 0
0
-2 0
-1 6
13 GHz
-3 0
-1 5
40
-4
-1
0
-5
4 GHz
0 3 0
-1
20 -60
-1 -7 0
-11 0 -8 0
-1 0 0 -90
“Single Layer Single Patch Wideband Microstrip Antenna,” T. Huynh and K. F. Lee,
Electronics Letters, Vol. 31, No. 16, pp. 1310-1312, 1986.
146
Improving Bandwidth
Double U-Slot
147
Improving Bandwidth
E Patch
148
Multi-Band Antennas
General Principle:
149
Multi-Band Antennas
Low-band
Low-band
Low-band
High-band
150
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
151
Miniaturization
• High Permittivity
• Quarter-Wave Patch
• PIFA
• Capacitive Loading
• Slots
• Meandering
152
Miniaturization
High Permittivity
r 1
r 4
Size reduction
W W W / 2
(Same aspect ratio)
L L / 2
The smaller patch has about one-fourth the bandwidth of the original patch.
(Bandwidth is inversely proportional to the permittivity.)
153
Miniaturization
Quarter-Wave patch
Ez = 0
Short-circuit vias
W W
L L L / 2
The new patch has about one-half the bandwidth of the original patch.
Neglecting losses:
Us U s U s / 2
Q 0 Q 2Q
Pr Pr Pr / 4
154
Miniaturization
Smaller Quarter-Wave patch
A quarter-wave patch with the same aspect ratio W/L as the original patch
W W / 2
Ez = 0 Short-circuit vias
Width reduction
W W W
L L / 2
L L L / 2
The new patch has about one-half the bandwidth of the original quarter-wave
patch, and hence one-fourth the bandwidth of the regular patch.
155
Miniaturization
Quarter-Wave Patch with Fewer Vias
W W
L L / 2 L
L L
Fewer vias actually gives more miniaturization!
(The edge has a larger inductive impedance: explained on the next slide.)
156
Miniaturization
Quarter-Wave Patch with Fewer Vias
Inductance
Short Open
The Smith chart provides a simple explanation for the length reduction.
157
Miniaturization
Planar Inverted F (PIFA)
Feed
Shorting strip or via
Top view
Feed
Shorting plate Top view
The capacitive loading allows for the length of the PIFA to be reduced.
1
0
LC
159
Miniaturization
Circular Patch Loaded with Vias
Feed c
2a
0
0
-10
315
45
-20
-5
-30
S11[db]
-10
-10
-20
-30
-40
270
90
-15
E-theta
E-phi
-20
225
135
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Frequency [GHz]
180
Unloaded: resonance frequency = 5.32 GHz.
(Miniaturization factor = 4.8)
161
Miniaturization
Slotted Patch
Top view
0o 90o
Linear CP
162
Miniaturization
Meandering
Via
Feed
Feed Via
163
Outline
Overview of microstrip antennas
Feeding methods
Basic principles of operation
General characteristics
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular polarization
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
Reducing surface waves and lateral radiation
164
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
Reduced Surface Wave (RSW) Antenna
z
Feed
b
Shorted annular ring r0
ro
a
x a b
h
165
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
166
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
Reducing surface-wave excitation and lateral radiation reduces
edge diffraction.
167
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
y Reducing the Surface Wave Excitation
TM11 mode:
a 1
x Ez , V0 cos J1 k1
hJ1 k1a
M s
k k1 k0 r V0
At edge: Ez cos
h
M s nˆ E ˆ zE
ˆ z
M s Ez a,
V0
M s cos
h
168
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
y
Substrate
a V0
x M s cos
h
M s
Surface-Wave Excitation:
E TM 0
z ATM 0 cos H1 2
TM 0
e jk z 0 z
(z > h)
ATM 0 AJ1 TM 0 a
Set
J1 TM 0 a 0
169
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
y
Substrate
TM 0 a x1n
a x
For TM11 mode: x11 1.841
M s
170
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
z
Feed
b
Shorted annular ring r0
ro
a
x a b
h
TM 0 b 1.841
y Ground plane
V0
M s cos
h
a x
Assume no substrate outside of patch
M s (or very thin substrate):
1 jk0
Space-Wave Field: E SP
ASP cos e (z = h)
z
ASP CJ1 k0 a
a x TM 0 k0
M s
The same design reduces
both surface-wave fields and
lateral-radiation fields.
k0 a 1.841
Note:
2a
0.586 The size is approximately independent of the
0 permittivity (the patch cannot be miniaturized by
choosing a higher permittivity!).
173
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
E-plane Radiation Patterns
Measurements were taken on a 1 m diameter circular ground plane at 1.575 GHz.
Measurement
0 0
Theory (infinite GP)
30 -30 30 -30
-10 -10
-30 -30
180 180
Conventional
Conventional RSW
RSW
174
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
Reducing surface-wave excitation and lateral radiation reduces
mutual coupling.
Space-wave radiation
Lateral radiation
Surface waves
175
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
Reducing surface-wave excitation and lateral radiation reduces mutual coupling.
0
RSW - Measured
-10 E-plane
RSW - Theory
-20 Conv - Measured
-30 Conv - Theory
-40
S12 [dB]
-50 1/r
-60
-70
-80 1/r3
-90
-100
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Separation [Wavelengths]
176
References
General references about microstrip antennas:
177
References (cont.)
General references about microstrip antennas (cont.):
179
References (cont.)
180
The End
181