2014 International Conference on Circuits, Systems, Communication and Information Technology Applications (CSCITA)

Dual Band Dual Polarized Modified Circular

Microstrip Antenna
Amit A. Deshmukh1

Vikas Pandita2, Russell Colaco2, Rajat Doshi2

1. Professor & Head, EXTC, DJSCOE, Vile-Parle (W),

Mumbai 400 056, India
Email: amitdeshmukh76@rediffmail.com

2. EXTC, DJSCOE, Vile-Parle (W),

Mumbai 400 056, India
Email: vikaspandita1@gmail.com

Abstract: A variation of circular microstrip antenna, 2700

sectoral microstrip antenna on thinner substrate is discussed. It
has an additional resonant mode whose resonance frequency lies
below the fundamental mode resonance frequency of the
equivalent circular microstrip antenna. Further, the variations
of sectoral microstrip antenna, 3000 and 3300 sectoral microstrip
antennas on thinner substrates are discussed. With variation in
sectoral angle, the separations between various resonant modes
of sectoral patch changes, which results in dual and triple
frequency response with variable frequency ratios and dual
polarizations. Further dual band rectangular slot cut variations
of 2700 and 3000 Sectoral microstrip antennas on thinner
substrate, are proposed. The rectangular slot tunes the
resonance frequency of second order mode of the patch with
respect to fundamental patch mode to yield dual frequency
response. The rectangular slot yields dual frequencies with
variable frequency ratios from 1.6 to 0.9. The proposed antennas
were designed in 1000 MHz frequency band and there dual band
designs yields bandwidth of 2% in respective frequency bands.

cut MSA at desired slot frequency, slot length is taken to be

equal to either half wave or quarter wave in length. However,
recent study on slot cut MSAs showed that, slot reduces the
resonance frequency of higher order orthogonal mode of the
patch and along with fundamental patch mode, yields dual
frequency response [15]. The slot also modifies the surface
current distribution at higher order mode to yield broadside
radiation pattern at the dual frequencies.
In this paper, a variation of circular MSA (CMSA), 2700
sectoral MSA on thinner substrate is discussed. The sectoral
MSA has an additional resonant mode whose frequency lies
below the fundamental mode resonance frequency of
equivalent CMSA. Further different variations of sectoral
MSAs like 3000 and 3300 sectoral MSAs on thinner substrate
are also discussed. With an increase in sectoral angle from
2700 to 3300, the fundamental and various higher order mode
resonance frequencies of sectoral patch reduces. This changes
the frequency ratio between individual frequencies to realize
dual and triple frequency response. In sectoral MSA at first
frequency, maximum of surface currents is directed along =
1350 whereas at second frequency surface current maximum
is directed along = 450. Thus the E-plane at first frequency
is directed along = 1350 and at second frequency it is
directed along = 450. Thus the proposed MSA realizes dual
polarization at two frequencies. Further to realize variable
frequency ratio, a rectangular slot cut dual band 2700 and 3000
sectoral MSAs are proposed. The rectangular slot reduces the
resonance frequency of second order mode of the patch and
has lesser effects on the first order mode resonance frequency.
Thus slot tunes second order mode frequency with respect to
first order mode, to realize dual frequency response with
variable frequency ratio. The sectoral MSAs were first
optimized using IE3D software [16]. For 2700 sectoral MSA
with radius r = 4.0 cm, on glass epoxy substrate (h = 0.16
cm, r = 4.3 and tan = 0.02) and for slot length of 4 cm,
simulated dual frequencies and BWs are, 812 and 1019 MHz
and 14 and 16 MHz, respectively. For 3000 sectoral MSA,
simulated dual frequencies and BWs are, 754 and 954 MHz
and 12 and 17 MHz, respectively. To validate the simulated
results for above slot length, configurations were fabricated
and measurements were carried out using R & S vector
network analyzer. In measurements finite ground plane
having finite substrate is used, which is also considered in
IE3D simulation. The antennas were fed using SMA
connector of 0.12 cm inner wire diameter. The measured

Key terms: Circular microstrip antenna, Sectoral microstrip

antenna, Dual band microstrip antenna, Rectangular slot, Higher
order mode

I. INTRODUCTION
More commonly dual and triple band microstrip antenna
(MSA) is realized by cutting the slots at an appropriate
position inside the patch or by placing the stubs on the edges
of the patch [1 12]. When the polarization of the radiated
field due to the patch mode and the mode introduced by the
slot/stub, are in the same direction, a single polarization is
realized, whereas when they are orthogonal, then it realizes
dual polarization. The dual band dual polarized MSAs are
needed in applications where, transmission and reception is
needed at two different frequencies with orthogonal
polarizations. The simplest method to realize dual band and
dual polarized MSAs is by cutting the slot in the center of
rectangular or circular patch and further by feeding it along
the diagonal axis [1 3]. By cutting an offset circular slot
inside the circular MSA (CMSA), a dual band dual polarized
response with variable frequency ratio of 1 to 0.8, has been
realized [13]. The dual band dual polarized response has also
been realized by placing open circuit stubs on the edges of
compact C-shaped as well as shorted L-shaped MSAs [14].
While realizing dual frequencies, slot technique is preferred,
since it neither increases patch area nor the radiation from slot
largely affects the patch radiation pattern. As per the reported
literature on slot cut dual band MSAs, while designing slot

978-1-4799-2494-3/14/$31.00 2014 IEEE

347

2014 International Conference on Circuits, Systems, Communication and Information Technology Applications (CSCITA)

results show closer agreement with the simulated results. The

radiation pattern is measured in minimum reflection
surroundings with required minimum far field distance
between the reference antenna and antenna under test [17].
II. SECTORAL MSA
The CMSA on glass epoxy substrate is shown in Fig. 1(a).
The patch radius is calculated such that it resonates in its
TM11 mode at frequency of around 1000 MHz. The CMSA is
simulated and its resonance curve plot is shown in Fig. 1(c). It
shows peaks due to TM11 (1051 MHz) and TM21 (1753 MHz)
modes, at which impedance matching is realized. The
equivalent 2700 sectoral MSA is shown in Fig. 1(b). For xf =
2.0 cm and yf = 0.cm, as shown in Fig. 1(b), sectoral MSA is
simulated and its resonance curve plot is shown in Fig. 1(c).
The plot shows peaks at 823, 1294 and 1751 MHz and surface
current distribution at them is shown in Fig. 2(a c). The
resonance curve plots for different feed point location for
2700 sectoral MSA is also shown in Fig. 1(d).

Fig. 2 (a c) Surface current distributions for 2700 Sectoral MSA

At first peak, surface current shows one half wavelength

variations along patch perimeter. This mode is absent in
CMSA. The maximum of surface currents is aligned along
= 1350, therefore an E-plane is aligned along the same plane
as shown in Fig. 3(a). At second frequency, the surface
currents show two half wavelength variations along patch
perimeter. The maximum of currents is aligned along =
450, hence an E-plane is aligned along = 450 as shown in
Fig. 3(b). This current distribution is similar to the TM11
mode distribution of equivalent CMSA. At f3, the currents
shows two half wavelength variations along half of the patch
perimeter on the bottom side of the patch whereas single half
wavelength variation on the top side of the patch. This
variation is similar to the TM21 mode distribution of
equivalent CMSA. At this mode, since the maximum of
effective surface currents is directed along = 1350, an Eplane is aligned along = 1350 as shown in Fig. 3(c). As
observed from the resonance curve plots in Fig. 1(d), when
feed point location is increased (yf increased) impedance at
first mode increases whereas that at other two modes reduces.
Similarly when feed point location is decreased (yf
decreased), impedance at first mode reduces whereas that at
other two modes increases.
Further variations of sectoral MSAs like, 3000 and 3300
MSAs were studied as shown in Fig. 3(d, e) and their
resonance curve plots along with the resonance curve plot for
2700 sectoral MSA is shown in Fig. 3(f). With the variation in
sectoral angle from 2700 to 3300, f1 and f2 decreases from 822
to 746 MHz and 1291 to 1115 MHz, respectively. The f3 also
reduces from 1752 to 1508 MHz. Thus with an increase in
sectoral angle, frequency ratio f2/f1 and f3/f1 reduces from
1.57 and 2.13 to 1.5 and 2.02, respectively. The simulated
radiation pattern at three frequencies for 3300 sectoral MSA is
shown in Fig. 4(a c). With an increase in sectoral angle, the
orthogonal contribution of surface currents at each mode
increases which increases the cross-polar radiation pattern at
each of the modal frequencies. Thus a triple band dual

Fig. 1 (a) CMSA (b) 2700 Sectoral MSA, their (c) resonance curve plots and
(d) resonance curve plot for varying feed point location for sectoral MSA

348

2014 International Conference on Circuits, Systems, Communication and Information Technology Applications (CSCITA)

polarized sectoral MSAs is realized with variations in sectoral

angle with smaller range of frequency ratios.

Fig. 4 (a c) Simulated radiation pattern at first three resonant modes for

3300 sectoral MSA

III. DUAL BAND RECTANGULAR SLOT CUT

SECTORAL MSAs
To further realize different frequency ratios between various
modes of sectoral MSA, a rectangular slot cut dual band 2700
sectoral MSA is proposed as shown in Fig. 5(a). The
rectangular slot is cut such that its increasing dimensions (ls)
is orthogonal to the surface currents at second order patch
mode and it is parallel to the surface currents at first order
mode. The slot length ls is increased in steps of 1.0 cm and
the resonance curve plots for this variations are shown in Fig.
5(b). The f2 reduces with an increase in ls whereas f1
nearly remains constant. Thus ls realizes tuning of f2 with
respect to f1 and yields different frequency ratio as shown in
Fig. 5(c). For ls = 4.0 cm, ws = 0.2 cm, and Y = 1.0 cm, by
optimizing the feed point location, a dual band response is
obtained and simulated dual frequencies and BWs are, 812
and 1019 MHz and 14 and 16 MHz, respectively as shown in
Fig. 5(d). In simulations an infinite ground plane was
assumed. The measurement is carried out by fabricating the
patch on glass epoxy substrate with finite square ground plane
of side length 20 cm. The MSA is fed using SMA panel
connector of 0.12 cm inner wire diameter and the
measurement was carried out. The measured dual frequencies

Fig. 3 (a c) Simulated radiation pattern plots for 2700 Sectoral MSA at

various modes, (d) 3000 and (e) 3300 sectoral MSAs and (f) resonance curve
plots for (____) 2700, (___ ___) 3000 and (___ _ ___) 3300 sectoral MSAs

349

2014 International Conference on Circuits, Systems, Communication and Information Technology Applications (CSCITA)

and BWs are, 812 and 1055 MHz and 13 and 12 MHz,
respectively as shown in Fig. 5(d).

The fabricated prototype of the configuration is shown in Fig.

6(a). The radiation pattern at dual frequencies is shown in Fig.
6(b, c). The pattern at both the frequencies is in broadside
direction with E-plane at f1 is aligned along = 1350 and at f2
it is aligned along = 450. Since the ground plane size with
respect to patch dimension is larger, the back lobe radiation
was less than 50 dB as compared to main lobe of radiation,
hence it is not shown in radiation pattern plot.

Fig. 5 (a) Dual band slot cut 2700 Sectoral MSA, (b) resonance curve plots
for ls = (_____) 0, (___ ___) 1, (___ _ ___) 2, (__ __ __) 3 and (c) dual frequencies and
their ratio variation against slot length for rectangular slot cut 2700 sectoral
MSA and its (d) input impedance and VSWR plots, (_____) simulated, (___ ___)
measured

Fig. 6 (a) Fabricated prototype and (b, c) radiation pattern at dual frequencies
for dual band rectangular slot cut 2700 sectoral MSA

350

2014 International Conference on Circuits, Systems, Communication and Information Technology Applications (CSCITA)

Similarly dual band response is realized for 3000 sectoral

MSA. The dual frequencies and their ratios plots for different
slot length are shown in Fig. 7(a). For 3000 sectoral MSA,
similar variation in frequency ratio with ls, is realized,
however it has reduced values of f1 and f2 for given ls. For
ls = 4.0 cm, the optimized simulated input impedance and
VSWR plots are shown in Fig. 7(b). The simulated dual
frequencies and BWs are 754 and 954 MHz and 12 and 17
MHz, respectively. The measurement was carried out and its
dual frequencies and BWs are 764 and 985 MHz and 13 and
14 MHz, respectively.

frequencies and BW of first two modes are 780 and 1216

MHz and 8 and 27 MHz, respectively. Further to realize dual
band response a rectangular slot is cut inside this patch as
shown in Fig. 9(a). For slot length of 5 cm, the simulated dual
frequencies and BWs are 773 and 1082 MHz and 7 and 16
MHz, respectively as shown in Fig. 9(c). The measured
frequencies and BWs are 791 and 1087 MHz and 8 and 18
MHz, respectively Due to the suspended configuration, the
gain at two frequencies is 4 and 6 dBi, respectively.

Fig. 7 (a) Dual frequency and their ratio variation against slot length, (b)
input impedance and VSWR plots, (____) simulated, (___ ___) measured

The fabricated prototype of the configuration is shown in Fig.

8(a). The radiation pattern for dual band slot cut 3000 Sectoral
MSA with finite square ground plane is shown in Fig. 8(b, c).
Similar to the 2700 Sectoral MSA, the 3000 Sectoral MSA
shows broadside radiation pattern with orthogonal
polarizations at the dual frequencies. In the present dual band
slot cut configurations, slot was kept closer to vertex position
in the Sectoral MSA. Similarly slot cut dual band
configurations in which slot is placed at distance from vertex
position (increased Y) was also investigated, which showed
higher cross polar levels especially at lower frequency.
Further variations of Sectoral MSA with angle more than 3000
were also investigated which showed higher cross polar levels
at dual frequencies. Since the above Sectoral MSAs were
analyzed on glass epoxy substrate, the antenna gain is less
than 0 dBi. To improve the gain, air suspended configuration
is investigated and the suspended 2700 sectoral MSA is shown
in Fig. 9(a, b). The patch is fabricated on glass epoxy
substrate which is suspended above the ground plane with
thickness of 0.16 cm. The patch radius is selected such that its
first two resonant modes are around 1000 MHz. The resonant

Fig. 8 (a) Fabricated prototype and (b, c) radiation pattern at dual frequencies
for dual band rectangular slot cut 3000 sectoral MSA

351

2014 International Conference on Circuits, Systems, Communication and Information Technology Applications (CSCITA)

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

Fig. 9 (a) Top and (b) side views of suspended 2700 sectoral MSA and its (c)
input impedance and VSWR plots, (____) simulated, (___ ___) measured

[13]

IV. CONCLUSIONs
[14]

A new multi-band 2700 Sectoral MSA and its variations like

3000 and 3300 Sectoral MSAs on thinner glass epoxy
substrate are proposed. The Sectoral MSA has an additional
resonant mode whose frequency lies below the TM11 mode
resonance frequency of equivalent CMSA. With the
variations in Sectoral angle, proposed MSA yields dual and
triple band and dual polarized response with variable
frequency ratio. Further to realize variable frequency ratio, a
rectangular slot cut 2700 and 3000 Sectoral MSAs are
proposed. The rectangular slot tunes the second order mode
frequency of the patch with respect to first order mode and
yields variable frequency ratio from 1.6 to 0.9. For the
optimized configurations with ls = 4.0 cm, the measurement
was carried out, and it shows closer match with simulated
result. Since the proposed configurations were analyzed on
low cost glass epoxy substrate, they have lower gain. To
improve the gain, suspended configuration of dual band
sectoral MSA is proposed, which realizes gain of 4 and 6 dBi,
at dual frequencies.

[15]

[16]
[17]

REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

[5]

R. Garg, P. Bhartia, I. Bahl and A. Ittipiboon, Microstrip Antenna

Design Handbook, Artech House, USA, 2001.
G. Kumar and K. P. Ray, Broadband Microstrip Antennas, Artech
House, USA, 2003
K. L. Wong, Compact and Broadband Microstrip Antennas, John
Wiley & sons, Inc., New York, USA, 2002.
A. A. Deshmukh and K. P. Ray, Stub Loaded Multi-band Slotted
Rectangular Microstrip Antennas, IET Proceedings on Microwave,
Antennas & Propagation, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 529 535, April 2009.
K. P. Ray, S. Nikhil, and A. Nair, Compact Tunable and Dual band
Circular Microstrip Antenna for GSM and Bluetooth Applications,

352

Interantional Journal of Microwave and Optical Technology, Vol. 4,

No. 4, pp. 205 210, July 2009.
K. Jhamb, L. Li, and K. Rambabu, Frequency adjustable microstrip
annular ring patch antenna with multi-band charasteristics, IET
Microwave, Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 5, No. 12, pp. 1471
1478, December 2011.
X. Hu, Y. Li, W. Chen, H. Tan, and Y. Long, Novel Dual
Frequency Microstrip Antenna With narrow Half ring and Half
Circular patch, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters,
Vol. 12, pp. 3 6, 2013.
L. A. Berge, M. T. Reich, and B. D. Braaten, A Compact dual band
bow-tie slot antenna for 900-MHz and 2400-MHz ISM bands,
IEEE Antennas Wireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 10, pp. 1385
1388, 2011.
D. D. Krishna, M. Gopikrishna, C. K. Aanandan, P. Mohanan, and
K. Vasudevan, Compact Dual Band Slot Loaded Circular
Microstrip Antenna With A Supestrate, Progress In
Electromagnetic Research, PIER 83, pp. 245 255, 2008.
K. F. Lee, K. M. Luk, K. M. Mak, and S. L. S. Yang, On the use of
U-slots in the design of Dual and Triple band Patch Antennas,
IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, AP 53, 3, pp. 60 74,
2011.
K. F. Lee, S. L. S. Yang, and A. A. Kishk, Dual and Multi-band Uslot patch Antennas, IEEE Antennas and wireless Propagation
Letters, Vol. 7, pp. 645 647, 2008.
B. Vedaprabhu and K. J. Vinoy, An Integrated Wideband
Multifunctional Antenna using a Microstrip patch with two U-slots,
Progress In Electromagnetic Research B, Vol. 22, pp.221 235,
2010.
A. A. Deshmukh, S. Makhwana, and V. Jain, Dual band Dual
Polarized Slot Cut Modified Circular Microstrip Antenna,
International Journal of Computer Application, Vol. 85, No. 4, pp.
37 41, January 2014
A. A. Deshmukh, K. P. Ray, A. Mainkar, J. Gohil and P. Mahale,
Dual polarized stub loaded Compact Microstrip Antennas,
International Journal of Microwave and Optical Technology, Vol. 4,
No. 3, pp. 153 159, May 2009.
A. A. Deshmukh, K. P. Ray and Ameya Kadam, Analysis of slot
cut Broadband and Dual band Rectangular Microstrip Antennas,
IETE Journal of Research, Vol. 59, No. 3, pp. 193 200, May
June 2013.
IE3D 12.1, Zeland Software, Freemont, USA
C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory: analysis and design, 2nd edition,
John Wiley & Sons Ltd.