Downloaded from http://iranpaper.

ir

http://plcman.vcp.ir

International Conference on Advances in Electrical, Electronics, Information, Communication and Bio-Informatics (AEEICB16)

Rectangular Slot cut Circular Microstrip Antennas

Amit A. Deshmukh, Priyanka Verma and Divya Singh
1

Professor, 2,3PG students, D J Sanghvi college of Engineering, Mumbai

e-mail: amitdeshmukh76@ rediffmail.com, priyanka6429@gmail.com

Abstract Multi-band dual polarized circular microstrip

antenna cut with circular and rectangular slot is proposed. The
circular slot in circular patch degenerates patch TM11 and TM21
modes into two orthogonal modes to realize multi-band
characteristics. The rectangular slot helps in optimizing the input
impedance at degenerated resonant modes to realize optimum
bandwidth of 1 to 2% in 1000 MHz frequency range. The
proposed dual-polarized configuration shows radiation in the
broadside direction for all the resonant mode frequencies.
Index Terms Slot cut circular microstrip antenna, Dual band
microstrip antenna, Dual polarization, Rectangular slot, Circular
slot, Higher order resonant mode

I. INTRODUCTION

ince invented for the first time in 1969, due to the

numerous advantages, microstrip antenna (MSA) finds
many applications in the design of modern day wireless
communication systems [1 4]. One of the main advantages
of MSA is the ease of patch integration with rest of the
microwave integrated circuits at higher frequencies. The dual
and triple band microstrip antennas are required when signal
transmission and reception is needed at closely spaced
frequencies. Without any modifications in the conventional
MSA, dual or triple frequency response can be realized with
respect to the fundamental and next higher order patch modes.
However realized frequency ratio between various frequencies
is high as well as the radiation pattern and polarization
characteristics over them changes. The tunable multi-band
frequency response with varying frequency ratio is realized by
cutting the slot or by placing an open circuit stub [4 14]. As
per available literature it is reported that slot or stub
introduces an additional resonant mode when their length
equals either half wave or quarter wave in length and its
frequency lies near the fundamental patch mode frequency.
This yields multiple frequencies showing identical pattern
characteristics. However recent study showed that stub or slot
reduces orthogonal patch mode frequency and together with
fundamental mode yields multi-band response [15]. The slot
and stub alters surface current directions at orthogonal mode
that gives identical pattern characteristics over multiple
frequencies. The dual band dual polarized response is
obtained by cutting slot in the patch center and feeding it

978-1-4673-9745-2 2016 IEEE

along its diagonal axis [3]. It is also realized by using

modified patch shapes like Sectoral MSA, embedded with
rectangular slot [16]. The dual band circular MSA (CMSA)
has been realized by cutting offset circular slot [17]. The two
frequencies are reported due to degeneration of fundamental
TM11 mode into two orthogonal patch modes.
In this paper, first a detailed parametric study to explain dual
frequency response in circular slot cut CMSA is discussed.
Equivalent CMSA was designed on FR4 substrate (r = 4.3, h
= 0.16 cm, tan = 0.02) such that it resonates in its TM11
mode at frequency of around 950 MHz. In parametric study it
was observed that the dual polarized dual frequency response
is due to degeneration of fundamental TM11 mode into two
closely spaced orthogonal modes. Further the parametric study
for variations in feed point locations for circular slot cut
CMSA is presented. For specific feed point locations, the next
higher order TM21 mode of equivalent CMSA also
degenerates into two orthogonal modes thereby realizing
multi-band dual polarized response. However input
impedance matching at four resonant modes was found to be
poor. To realize the same, rectangular slot was cut on the
patch periphery. The slot alters the input impedance at various
degenerated modes to realize the impedance matching which
gives 1 to 2% bandwidth (BW) at respective modes. The
rectangular slot further realizes tuning of various resonant
modes which yields varying frequency ratios from around 1 to
1.15 and from 1.7 to 2.0. The circular and rectangular slots cut
inside CMSA changes the surface current distributions at
degenerated TM21 mode that gives radiation pattern in
broadside direction showing dual polarized characteristics.
Since the proposed configuration was optimized on lossy
substrate, they have gain less than 0 dBi. To increase the same
its three layer suspended configuration is proposed which
gives similar BW and radiation pattern characteristics but with
a gain of more than 4 dBi at respective modal frequencies.
The proposed MSAs in this paper were first analyzed using
IE3D software followed by experimental verifications. In
measurements ZVH-8 vector network analyzer was used to
measure impedance response. The radiation pattern and gain
were measured inside the antenna lab using RF source (FCS6)
and spectrum analyzer (SMB 100).

Downloaded from http://iranpaper.ir

http://plcman.vcp.ir

International Conference on Advances in Electrical, Electronics, Information, Communication and Bio-Informatics (AEEICB16)

II. SLOT CUT MULTI-BAND CMSA

Using equations (1) and (2), radius of co-axially fed CMSA as
shown in Fig. 1(a), is calculated such that its TM11 resonant
mode frequency is approximately around 950 MHz. The
radius is calculated to be 4.5 cm. Using SMA-panel type
connector feed (probe diameter = 0.12 cm), CMSA is
simulated for different coaxial feed locations (A, B, C)
and Fig. 1(b) shows their resonance curve plots. At all the
feed point locations, TM11 mode at frequency of around 950
MHz is observed.
K = 8.794
(1)
fr r
a=

K
1 + 2h

(ln K 2h + 1.7726)
r K

Fig. 2 Circular slot cut CMSA

(2)

where, fr = frequency (GHz), h = substrate thickness (cm)

a = patch radius (cm)

Fig. 1 (a) Co-axially fed CMSA and its (b) resonance curve plots for varying
feed point locations

A circular slot is cut inside this CMSA, as shown in Fig. 2.

For x = 2.0 cm and r = 2.0 cm, the plots of resonance curve
for varying feed point locations are shown in Fig. 3(a). When
the feed is placed at point A or B, resonant peaks due to
TM11 and TM21 modes are observed. Two resonant peaks are
noticed when the feed point is placed at position C which is
equivalent to TM11 mode frequency whereas a single peak is
observed at frequency which is near the TM21 mode
frequency. Another weakly excited mode (as shown by arrow)
is also observed near the above resonant peak. The
distribution of the currents on the patch surface at prominently
observed resonant frequency modes are displayed in Fig. 3(b
e).
978-1-4673-9745-2 2016 IEEE

Fig. 3 (a) Resonance curve plots for varying feed point locations and (b e)
surface current distributions at various resonant peaks for feed at point C in
circular slot embedded CMSA

An asymmetrical circular slot has degenerated TM11 mode

into two orthogonal patch modes (f1 and f2) as currents
shows variation in half wavelength alongside the diameter of
patch. Thus it gives dual band and dual polarized response.
The current distribution at third peak (f3) is similar to TM21
mode in CMSA. For the MSA shown in Fig. 2, resonance
curve plots for variation in feed position along Y-axis are
depicted in Fig. 4(a). With decrease in feed position,

Downloaded from http://iranpaper.ir

http://plcman.vcp.ir

International Conference on Advances in Electrical, Electronics, Information, Communication and Bio-Informatics (AEEICB16)

impedance at weakly excited mode increases and prominent

peak due to the same is observed. The decrease in location of
feed point also reduces the impedance at first of the
degenerated TM21 mode. The distributions of the current along
the patch surface at two peaks (f3 and f4) are shown in Fig.
4(b, c). Here also slot has degenerated TM21 mode into two
orthogonal modes. Hence with reference to degenerated TM11
and TM21 modes circular slot cut CMSA gives multi-band
dual polarized response. The simulated radiation pattern plots
at degenerated modes f2 and f4 are shown in Fig. 4(d, e).
Owing to variation in half wavelength for the surface currents,
radiation pattern at degenerated TM11 modes is in the direction
of broadside. The TM21 mode pattern in CMSA is conical.
The circular slot has modified surface current distributions at
degenerated TM21 mode and hence the radiation pattern at the
same is also in the broadside direction but it has higher crosspolarization. The effects of variation in circular slot position
(x) and its radius (r) are also studied and curve plots of
resonance for the same are displayed in Fig. 5(a, b).

mode frequency whereas other marginally reduces. However

as seen from the resonance curve plots, an impedance
matching at all the modes is absent which does not yield
optimum BW. Hence to optimize for impedance matching and
to alter the surface current distributions over resonant modes,
rectangular slot is cut on the patch edge of circular slot cut
CMSA, as depicted in Fig. 5(c). The plot of resonance curve
generated for length (Ls) of the circular slot variation is
displayed in Fig. 5(d).

Fig. 4 (a) Resonance curve plots for the variation in locations of feed point
and (b, c) surface current distributions at degenerated equivalent TM21 modes
and (d, e) simulated plots of radiation pattern for circular slot cut CMSA

For the given slot position, an increase in slot radius reduces

the frequencies of all the degenerated modes. The decrease in
slot position mainly affects second of the degenerated TM11
978-1-4673-9745-2 2016 IEEE

Fig. 5 Resonance curve plots for the variation in (a) slot position and (b) slot
radius for circular slot cut CMSA and (c) rectangular and circular slot cut
CMSA and its (d) resonance curve plots for varying slot length

Downloaded from http://iranpaper.ir

http://plcman.vcp.ir

International Conference on Advances in Electrical, Electronics, Information, Communication and Bio-Informatics (AEEICB16)

As perceived from the distributions of the current in Figs. 3(b,

c) and 4(b, c), rectangular slot along the x-axis is
perpendicular to the currents on the patch surface at f1 and f3.
Therefore with an increase in slot length (Ls), individual
frequency reduces whereas the input impedance at them
increases. This realizes impedance matching at first mode but
disturbs the same at third mode. To realize the matching at
third mode, Y-axis position of the feed point is reduced which
yields optimum response. The optimized configuration and
their input impedance plots are shown in Fig. 6(a, b).

modes changes with the variation in circular slot radius and its
position. For x = 1.0 cm, with slot length, variable frequency
ratio between four resonant modes is 1.0 to 1.15 (f2/f1), 1.6 to
1.9 (f3/f1) and 1.7 to 2.0 (f4/f1). With increase in x to 2 cm,
realized frequency ratios are 1.05 to 1.2 (f2/f1), 1.6 to 1.8
(f3/f1) and 1.7 to 2.1 (f4/f1).

Fig. 6 (a) Optimized configuration and its (b) plots for input impedance of the
CMSA cut with rectangular and circular slot

The four frequencies simulated and their respective BWs are

728, 888, 1339 and 1486 MHz and 9, 16, 19 and 19 MHz,
respectively. The four frequencies measured and their
respective BWs are 723, 876, 1339 and 1456 MHz and 8, 18,
20 and 18 MHz, respectively. The prototype of the fabrication
of the antenna configuration is displayed in Fig. 7(a). The
simulated and measured radiation pattern at four resonance
frequencies is shown in Fig. 7(b g) and 8(a, b), respectively.
The pattern of radiation at all the resonant modes is along the
broadside. The radiation pattern at first and third resonant
modes shows E and H-planes aligned along = 900 and 00,
respectively. Whereas pattern at second and fourth resonant
modes shows E and H-plane aligned along = 00 and 900,
respectively. Thus over four frequencies dual polarized
response has been realized. The resonant frequencies of four
978-1-4673-9745-2 2016 IEEE

Fig. 7 (a) Fabricated prototype and (b g) radiation pattern at first three

frequencies for the dual polarized rectangular and circular slot cut CMSA

Since the MSAs were fabricated on the glass epoxy lossy

substrate, it has gain which is less than 0 dBi. In order to
improve upon the same, the configuration with the suspended

Downloaded from http://iranpaper.ir

http://plcman.vcp.ir

International Conference on Advances in Electrical, Electronics, Information, Communication and Bio-Informatics (AEEICB16)

patch of above rectangular and circular slot cut CMSA has

been studied. The suspended design yields similar impedance
and radiation pattern characteristics but with a gain which is
more than 4 dBi at each of the frequencies. Thus as compared
to the circular slot cut dual band CMSA reported in [17],
proposed configuration yields multi-band dual polarized
response. Also proposed work clearly explains the design of
multi-band dual polarization antenna in terms of the operating
modes of the circular patch which was not given in [17]. In
the further study, narrow slit cut variation of circular patch
design that gives multi-band dual polarized characteristics will
be studied. Also formulations at resonant modes to realize
similar antennas at any other frequency will also be
developed.

[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]

[7]
[8]

[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]

Fig. 8 (a, b) Radiation pattern at fourth frequency for dual polarized

rectangular and circular slot cut CMSA

[15]

III. CONCLUSIONS

[16]

The multi-band design of circular patch cut with rectangular

and circular slots is proposed. A detailed parametric study to
explain the effects of circular and rectangular slots and the
variation in feed point location over the observed resonant
modes is explained. The circular slot along with appropriate
location of the feed, first degenerates patch TM11 and TM21
modes into two orthogonal modes that yields four frequencies.
Further rectangular slot modifies the surface current
distributions and input impedances at all the four resonant
modes to realize 1 to 2 % VSWR BW. The proposed
configuration yields dual polarized broadside radiation pattern
over all the frequencies. Against varying slot position and
radius, proposed CMSA yields frequency ratio of 1.0 to 1.15
and 1.7 to 2.0 over four resonant modes. Due to lossy
substrate multi-band design gives gain which is less than 0
dBi. In order to improve the same, the suspended designs of
above configuration is studied which gives broadside gain of
more than 4 dBi at each of the frequencies. In further study, a
narrow slit cut configuration of CMSA with rectangular slot
and formulation of frequencies in resonant lengths at four
modes will be developed. The formulations will be helpful to
realize similar antenna at any given frequency.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]

B. Bhartia and I. J. Bahl, Microstrip Antennas, USA, 1980

R. Garg, P. Bhartia, I. Bahl and A. Ittipiboon, Microstrip Antenna
Design Handbook, Artech House, USA, 2001.

978-1-4673-9745-2 2016 IEEE

[17]

K. L. Wong, Compact and Broadband Microstrip Antennas, John

Wiley & sons, Inc., New York, USA, 2002.
G. Kumar and K. P. Ray, Broadband Microstrip Antennas, 1st ed,
USA, Artech House, 2003.
J. Ghalibafan and A. R. Attari, A New Dual-band Microstrip
Antenna with U-shaped slot, Progress In Electromagnetic Research
C, Vol. 12, 2010, pp.215 223.
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, March 2011, pp.
60 74.
K. F. Lee, S. L. S. Yang, and A. A. Kishk, Dual and Multiband Uslot patch Antennas, IEEE Antennas and wireless Propagation
Letters, Vol. 7, 2008, pp. 645 647.
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, 2010, pp. 221
235.
S. L. S. Yang, A. A. Kishk and K. F. Lee, Frequency
Reconfigurable U-slot Microstrip Patch Antenna, IEEE Antennas
and wireless Propagation Letters, Vol. 7, 2008, pp. 127 129.
S. Maci, Dual Band Slot Loaded Antenna, IEEE Proceedings On
Microwave Antennas And Propagation, 142, June 1995, pp. 225
232.
K. R. Boyle and P. J. Massey, Nine band antenna system for mobile
phones, Electronics Letters, Vol. 42, no. 5, 2006, pp. 265 266
A. E. Daniel and R. K. Shevgaonkar, Slot-loaded rectangular
microstrip antenna for tunable dual-band operation, Microwave &
Opti. Tech. Letters, Vol. 44, no. 5, 5th March 2005, pp. 441 444
K. P. Ray and D. D. Krishna, Compact dual band suspended Semicircular microstrip antenna with half U-slot, Microwave & Opti.
Tech. Letters, vol. 48, no. 10, 2006, pp. 2021 2024
J. H. Lu, Single feed dual frequency rectangular microstrip antenna
with pair step slots, Electronics Letters, Vol. 35, no. 5, 1999, pp.
354 355
Amit 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, 2013.
Amit A. Deshmukh, Vikas Pandita, Russell Colaco and Rajat Doshi,
Dual Band Dual Polarized Modified Circular Microstrip Antenna,
Proceedings of CSCITA 2014, 4th & 5th April 2014, Mumbai, India.
(DOI - 10.1109/CSCITA.2014.6839285)
J. H. Lu and K. L Wong, Compact Dual frequency circular
microstrip antenna with an offset circular slot, Microwave and
Optical Technology Letters, Vol. 22, no. 4, 20th August 1999, pp. 254
- 256