Introduction to Microstrip Antennas Fundamentals

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
Provide an introduction to microstrip antennas.

Provide a physical and mathematical basis for understanding how
microstrip antennas work.
Provide a physical understanding of the basic physical properties of
microstrip antennas.
Provide an overview of some of the recent advances and trends in
the area (but not an exhaustive survey directed towards
understanding the fundamental principles).
3
Additional Resources
Some basic references are provided at the end of these viewgraphs.

You are welcome to visit a website that goes along with a course at the
University of Houston on microstrip antennas (PowerPoint viewgraphs
from the course may be found there, along with the viewgraphs from this
short course).
ECE 6345: Microstrip Antennas
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
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
5
Notation
c speed of light in free space c 2.99792458 108 m/s
0 wavelength of free space 0 c / f
k0 wavenumber of free space k0 0 0 2 / 0
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
r relative permtitivity (dielectric constant) of substrate

1
c
0 0
reff effective relative permtitivity
(accouting for fringing of flux lines at edges) 0 4 107 H/m
1
eff
complex effective relative permtitivity 0 8.854188 1012 F/m
rc 0 c 2
(used in the cavity model to account for all losses)
6
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
7
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.
Microstrip line feed Coax feed

8
Common Shapes
Rectangular Square Circular Annular ring
Elliptical Triangular
9
History
Invented by Bob Munson in 1972 (but earlier work by Dechamps

goes back to1953).
Became popular starting in the 1970s.
G. Deschamps and W. Sichak, Microstrip Microwave Antennas, Proc. of Third

Symp. on USAF Antenna Research and Development Program, October 1822,
1953.
R. E. Munson, Microstrip Phased Array Antennas, Proc. of Twenty-Second Symp.

on USAF Antenna Research and Development Program, October 1972.
R. E. Munson, Conformal Microstrip Antennas and Microstrip Phased Arrays, IEEE

Trans. Antennas Propagat., vol. AP-22, no. 1 (January 1974): 7478.
10
Advantages of Microstrip Antennas
Low profile (can even be conformal, i.e. flexible to conform to a

surface).
Easy to fabricate (use etching and photolithography).
Easy to feed (coaxial cable, microstrip line, etc.).
Easy to incorporate with other microstrip circuit elements and
integrate into systems.
Patterns are somewhat hemispherical, with a moderate directivity
(about 6-8 dB is typical).
Easy to use in an array to increase the directivity.
11
Disadvantages of Microstrip Antennas
Low bandwidth (but can be improved by a variety of techniques). Bandwidths of

a few percent are typical. Bandwidth is roughly proportional to the substrate
thickness and inversely proportional to the substrate permittivity.
Efficiency may be lower than with other antennas. Efficiency is limited by

conductor and dielectric losses*, and by surface-wave loss**.
Only used at microwave frequencies and above (the substrate becomes too
large at lower frequencies).
Cannot handle extremely large amounts of power (dielectric breakdown).
* Conductor and dielectric losses become more severe for thinner

substrates.
** Surface-wave losses become more severe for thicker substrates
(unless air or foam is used).
12
Applications
Applications include:
Satellite communications
Microwave communications
Cell phone antennas
GPS antennas
13
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)
14
Arrays
Linear array (1-D corporate feed)
22 array
2-D 8X8 corporate-fed array 4 8 corporate-fed / series-fed array

15
Wraparound Array (conformal)
The substrate is so thin that it can be bent to conform to the surface.
16
Rectangular patch
Note:
The fields and current
are approximately y
independent of y for the
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.
17
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.
18
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
19
Feeding Methods
Some of the more common methods for

feeding microstrip antennas are shown.
The feeding methods are illustrated for a rectangular patch,

but the principles apply for circular and other shapes as well.
20
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).
Feed at (x0, y0) x

L
21
Feeding Methods
Coaxial Feed
x z
R Redge cos2 0
L
(The resistance varies as the
square of the modal field shape.) r h
x
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
22
Feeding Methods
Inset Feed
Advantages:
Simple Microstrip line
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
23
Feeding Methods
Inset Feed
Recent work has shown

that the resonant input
resistance varies as x0
Wf
2x S
W
Rin A cos 2 0 B
2 L
L
The coefficients A and B depend on the notch width S but (to a good
approximation) not on the line width Wf .
Y. Hu, D. R. Jackson, J. T. Williams, and S. A. Long, Characterization of the Input Impedance of

the Inset-Fed Rectangular Microstrip Antenna, IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 56,
No. 10, pp. 3314-3318, Oct. 2008.
24
Feeding Methods
Proximity-coupled Feed
(Electromagnetically-coupled Feed)
Advantages:
Less line radiation compared to microstrip feed
Can allow for higher bandwidth (no probe inductance, so
substrate can be thicker)
Patch
Microstrip
Top view line
Microstrip line
Disadvantages:
Requires multilayer fabrication
Alignment is important for input match
25
Feeding Methods
Gap-coupled Feed
Advantages:
Can allow for a match even with high edge impedances, where a notch
might be too large (e.g., when using high permittivity)
Gap Patch
Patch
Microstrip line Microstrip

Top view line
Disadvantages:
Requires accurate gap fabrication
Requires full-wave design
26
Feeding Methods
Aperture-coupled Patch (ACP)
Advantages:
Allows for planar feeding Slot
Feed-line radiation is isolated from patch radiation

Higher bandwidth is possible since probe inductance is
eliminated (allowing for a thick substrate), and also a Microstrip
double-resonance can be created Top view line
Allows for use of different substrates to optimize

antenna and feed-circuit performance
Patch
Disadvantages: Slot
Requires multilayer fabrication
Alignment is important for input match Microstrip line
27
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
28
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 n
PMC
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): 137145.
29
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).
In a cavity, only certain modes are allowed to exist, at different resonance

frequencies.
If the antenna is excited at a resonance frequency, a strong field is set up inside

the cavity, and a strong current on the (bottom) surface of the patch. This
produces significant radiation (a good antenna).
30
A microstrip antenna can radiate well, even with a thin substrate.
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
h
r Js h
x
31
Thin Substrate Approximation
On patch and ground plane: Et 0 E z E z
Inside the patch cavity, because of the thin substrate,

the electric field vector is approximately independent of z.
Hence E x, y, z z Ez x, y
Ez x, y
h
32
Magnetic field inside patch cavity:
1
H E
j
zE z x, y
1

j

1
j
z Ez x, y
33
H x, y
1
j
z E x, y
z
Note: The magnetic field is purely horizontal.

(The mode is TMz.)
Ez x, y
h
H x, y
34
Magnetic-wall Approximation
On the edges of the patch: y

J s n 0 L
(Js is the sum of the top and bottom surface currents.)
Js n
On the bottom surface of the patch W
conductor, at the edge of the patch,
we have: t
x
J bot
s n 0 assuming J bot
s J stop
Also,
H tbot 0
J sbot z H h
H tbot 0
35
Since the magnetic field is approximately

independent of z, we have an approximate PMC y
condition on the entire vertical edge.
L
H t 0 (PMC)
Js n
or W
n H x, y 0 t
x
PMC
H t
edge
0
n
h h
Actual patch PMC Model
36
y
n H x, y 0
L
H x, y
1
j
z E x, y
z
Js n
W
Hence,
n z Ez x, y 0 t
x
n z Ez x, y z n Ez x, y Ez x, y n z
z n Ez x, y 0
Ez n
0
h
(Neumann B.C.)
n PMC
37
Resonance Frequencies
y
Ez k Ez 0
2 2
k k1 k0 r
Ez x, y
From separation of variables:
m x n y
Ez cos cos W
PMC
L W
(TMmn mode)
x
L
m 2 n 2
We then have k1 Ez 0
2
L W
m 2 n 2
Hence
k1 0
2
L W
38
We thus have y
m n Ez x, y
2 2
k
1
2

L W
PMC
W
Recall that
k1 k0 r 0 0 r
x
2 f L
Hence
m n
2 2
c
f c 1/ 0 0
2 r L W
39
y
Ez x, y
Hence f f mn
(resonance frequency of (m,n) mode)
PMC
W
where
x
L
m n
2 2
c
f mn
2 r L W
40
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
Ez cos L
L The current is maximum in the middle of
the patch, when plotted along x.
1 x
H x, y y 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 x sin
j 0 L L
41
Resonance Frequency of Dominant Mode
The resonance frequency is mainly controlled by the

patch length L and the substrate permittivity.
Approximately, (assuming PMC walls)
m n
2 2
This is equivalent to saying that
k1
2
the length L is one-half of a
L W wavelength in the dielectric.
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.
42
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 .
y
Le L 2L
c 1 L L
f10
2 r Le L
x
Le
Note: Some authors use effective permittivity in this equation.

(This would change the value of Le.)
43
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 r 1 h
reff 1 12
2 2 W
Note: Even though the Hammerstad

formula involves an effective permittivity, we
c 1
f10
still use the actual substrate permittivity in
2 r L 2L
the resonance frequency formula.
44
Note: L 0.5 h
This is a good rule of thumb to give a quick estimate.
45
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
h // 0
h
0
r = 2.2
The resonance frequency has been normalized by the
W/ L = 1.5 zero-order value (without fringing).
46
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
47
General Characteristics
Bandwidth
The bandwidth is directly proportional to substrate thickness h.
However, if h is greater than about 0.05 0 , the probe inductance (for a

coaxial feed) becomes large enough so that matching is difficult the
bandwidth will decrease.
The bandwidth is inversely proportional to r (a foam substrate gives a high

bandwidth).
The bandwidth of a rectangular patch is proportional to the patch width W

(but we need to keep W < 2L ; see the next slide).
48
Width Restriction for a Rectangular Patch
W 2L c 1
f 01
2 r W
c m n
2 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
49
Some Bandwidth Observations
For a typical substrate thickness (h /0 = 0.02), and a typical substrate

permittivity (r = 2.2) the bandwidth is about 3%.
By using a thick foam substrate, bandwidth of about 10% can be achieved.
By using special feeding techniques (aperture coupling) and stacked

patches, bandwidths of 100% have been achieved.
50
Results: Bandwidth
30
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
The discrete data points are measured values.

The solid curves are from a CAD formula (given later).
r = 2.2 or 10.8 W/ L = 1.5
51
Resonant Input Resistance
The resonant input resistance is fairly independent of the substrate
thickness h unless h gets small (the variation is then mainly due to
dielectric and conductor loss).
The resonant input resistance is proportional to r.
The resonant input resistance is directly controlled by the location of the

feed point (maximum at edges x = 0 or x = L, zero at center of patch).
(x0, y0)
W
L L
x
52
Resonant Input Resistance (cont.)
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)
Feed: (x0, y0)
x
L
53
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.
This is seen from the cavity-model eigenfunction analysis

(please see the reference).
y
Rin E x0 , y0
2
z
(x0, y0)
For (1,0) mode:
W
x0
Rin cos 2

L x
L
54
y
Hence, for (1,0) mode:
x0 (x0, y0)
Rin Redge cos 2

L W
x
L
The value of Redge depends strongly on the substrate permittivity

(it is proportional to the permittivity).
For a typical patch, it is often in the range of 100-200 Ohms.
55
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
hh // L x
0
r = 2.2 or 10.8 W/L = 1.5

56
Radiation Efficiency
Radiation efficiency is the ratio of power radiated into

space, to the total input power.
Pr
er
Ptot
The radiation efficiency is less than 100% due to
Conductor loss
Dielectric loss
Surface-wave excitation
57
Radiation Efficiency (cont.)
TM0
surface wave
Js
x
cos () pattern
58
Hence,
Pr Pr
er
Ptot Pr Pc Pd Psw
Pr = radiated power Pc = power dissipated by conductors
Ptot = total input power Pd = power dissipated by dielectric

Psw = power launched into surface wave
59
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 increases with frequency (proportional to f 1/2) due to the

skin effect. It can be very serious at millimeter-wave frequencies.
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
60
Surface-wave power is more important for thicker substrates or for

higher-substrate permittivities. (The surface-wave power can be
minimized by using a thin substrate or a foam substrate.)
For a foam substrate, a high radiation efficiency is obtained by making the

substrate thicker (minimizing the conductor and dielectric losses). There is no
surface-wave power to worry about.
For a typical substrate such as r = 2.2, the radiation efficiency is maximum for
h / 0 0.02.
61
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
h // 0
h
0
r = 2.2 or 10.8 W/L = 1.5 Note: CAD plot uses the Pozar formula (given later).
62
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).
63
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).
64
Radiation Patterns (cont.)
Comments on radiation patterns:
The E-plane pattern is typically broader than the H-plane pattern.
The truncation of the ground plane will cause edge diffraction, which
tends to degrade the pattern by introducing:
Rippling in the forward direction

Back-radiation
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 ()).
65
Radiation Patterns
Edge diffraction is the most serious in the E plane.
y E varies as cos
Space wave
L
Js
W
E plane
H plane
66
Radiation Patterns
E-plane pattern
Red: infinite substrate and ground plane

Blue: 1 meter ground plane
0
Note: The E-plane pattern tucks
30 -30 in and tends to zero at the
-10 horizon due to the presence of
the infinite substrate.
60 -20 -60
-30
-40 -30 -20 -10

90 -90
120 240
150 210
180 67
Radiation Patterns
H-plane pattern
Red: infinite substrate and ground plane

Blue: 1 meter ground plane
0
45 -10 -45
-20
-30
-40 -30 -20 -10

90 -90
135 225
180
68
Directivity
The directivity is fairly insensitive to the substrate thickness.
The directivity is higher for lower permittivity, because the patch is

larger.
69
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
r = 2.2 or 10.8 W/ L = 1.5

70
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
71
CAD Formulas
CAD formulas for the important properties of the
rectangular microstrip antenna will be shown.
Radiation efficiency
Bandwidth (Q)
Resonant input resistance
Directivity
D. R. Jackson, Microstrip Antennas, Chapter 7 of Antenna Engineering Handbook, J. L.

Volakis, Editor, McGraw Hill, 2007.
D. R. Jackson, S. A. Long, J. T. Williams, and V. B. Davis, Computer-Aided Design of
Rectangular Microstrip Antennas, Ch. 5 of Advances in Microstrip and Printed Antennas,
K. F. Lee and W. Chen, Eds., John Wiley, 1997.
D. R. Jackson and N. G. Alexopoulos, Simple Approximate Formulas for Input Resistance,
Bandwidth, and Efficiency of a Resonant Rectangular Patch, IEEE Trans. Antennas and
Propagation, Vol. 39, pp. 407-410, March 1991.
72
CAD Formulas
Radiation Efficiency
erhed
er
Rsave 1 3 r L 1
1 e hed
d
r

0 h / 0 16 1 W
p c h / 0
Comment:
The efficiency becomes small as the substrate gets thin,
where if there is dielectric or conductor loss.
d tan loss tangent of substrate
1
Rs surface resistance of metal Rsave Rspatch Rsground / 2
2
Note: hed refers to a unit-amplitude horizontal electric dipole.

73
CAD Formulas
Psphed 1
erhed
Psphed Pswhed Pswhed
1 hed
Psp
where
P hed
sp
1
2 0
0
kh
2
c1
80 2
1
3
1 3
2 k0 h 60 1
3
Pswhed
0 r
Note: hed refers to a unit-amplitude horizontal electric dipole.
Note: When we say unit amplitude here, we assume peak (not RMS) values.
74
CAD Formulas
Hence, we have
1
ehed
r 3
3 1 1
1 k0 h 1
4 c1 r
Physically, this term is the radiation efficiency of a

horizontal electric dipole (hed) on top of the substrate.
75
CAD Formulas
The constants are defined as follows:
1 2/5
c1 1
r r2
3 1
p 1 k0 W a2 2a4
a2

2 4 2
2
0 k W c2 k 0 L
10 560 5
1
a2 c2 k0 W k0 L
2 2
70
c2 0.0914153
a2 0.16605
a4 0.00761
76
CAD Formulas
Improved formula for HED surface-wave power (due to Pozar)
r x 1
3/2
k 2 2

hed 0 0 0 Note: x0 in this formula is
P
8 r 1 x1 (k0 h) x02 1 1 r2 x1
sw not the feed location!
x02 1 r2 01 r r2 2 01 02
x1 x0 1
r x02 r2 12
0 s tan k0 h s
1
1 tan k0 h s
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 Pozars paper by
a factor of 2, since Pozar used RMS instead of peak values.
77
CAD Formulas
Bandwidth
1 Rsave 1 16 p c1 h W 1
BW hed
0 h / 0 3 r 0 L
d
2 er
1
Q Comments:
2 BW For a lossless patch, the bandwidth is approximately

proportional to the patch width and to the substrate thickness.
It is inversely proportional to the substrate permittivity.
For very thin substrates the bandwidth will increase for a
lossy patch, but as the expense of efficiency.
BW is defined from the frequency limits f1 and f2 at which SWR = 2.0.
f 2 f1
BW (multiply by 100 if you want to get %)
f0
78
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
79
CAD Formulas
Q Components
Qd 1 / tan
( k h) Rsave Rspatch Rsground / 2

Qc 0 0ave
2 Rs
3 r L 1
Qsp The constants p and c1 were defined previously.
16 pc1 W h / 0
erhed erhed
1
Qsw Qsp hed
3
1 e 3 1 1
r
1 k0 h 1
4 c1 r
80
CAD Formulas
Resonant Input Resistance
Probe-feed Patch
x0
R R max
in Redge cos 2

L
40 L h

W 0
Redge
Rs 1 16 p c1 W h 1
d 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.
81
CAD Formulas
Approximate CAD formula for probe (feed) reactance (in Ohms)
a = probe radius h = probe height
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
0.577216 (Eulers constant)
0 0 / 0 376.7303
82
CAD Formulas
Observations:
Feed (probe) reactance increases proportionally with substrate

thickness h.
Feed reactance increases for smaller probe radius.
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.
(Compensating techniques will be discussed later.)

83
CAD Formulas
Results: Probe Reactance (Xf =Xp= Lp)
40
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 Xxr
r Edge
The normalized feed location ratio xr is zero at the center

xr = 2 ( x0 / L) - 1 of the patch (x = L/2), and is 1.0 at the patch edge (x = L).
84
CAD Formulas
Directivity
3 r
D k1h
2
tanc
pc1 r tan k1h
2
k1 k0 r
where
tanc x tan x / x
The constants p and c1 were defined previously.
85
CAD Formulas
Directivity (cont.)
For thin substrates:
3
D
p c1
(The directivity is essentially independent of the substrate thickness.)
86
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
87
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.
z
Patch
x
h Probe r
Coax feed
88
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 J bot
s J spatch
x
h J sprobe r
89
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 n H h Probe r
M se n 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 n E
90
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.
91
Radiation Pattern
Comments on the Substrate Effects
The substrate can be neglected to simplify the far-field calculation.

When considering the substrate, it is most convenient to assume an infinite
substrate (in order to obtain a closed-form solution).
Reciprocity can be used to calculate the far-field pattern of electric or
magnetic current sources inside of an infinite layered structure.
When an infinite substrate is assumed, the far-field pattern always goes to
zero at the horizon.
no. 2, pp. 236-248, April 1991.
92
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 n E
x
y
J s x 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
93
Radiation Pattern
Rectangular Patch Pattern Formula
(The formula is based on the electric current model.)
L
x
h r
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

L The probe is on the x axis.
L
94
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
kx 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
no. 2, pp. 236-248, April 1991.
95
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
N r sin 2 Note: To account for lossy substrate, use

r rc r 1 j tan
96
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
97
Input Impedance
Various models have been proposed over the years for calculating the
input impedance of a microstrip patch antenna.
Transmission line model

The first model introduced
Very simple
Cavity model (eigenfunction expansion)

Simple yet accurate for thin substrates
Gives physical insight into operation
CAD circuit model

Extremely simple and almost as accurate as the cavity model
Spectral-domain method
More challenging to implement
Accounts rigorously for both radiation and surface-wave excitation
Commercial software
Very accurate
Can be time consuming
98
Input Impedance
Comparison of the Three Simplest Models
Circuit model of patch
RLC Circuit model of a Microstrip antenna Transmission line model of patch
Transmission Line model of a Microstrip 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)
Cavity model Cavity

(eigenfunction expansion) of patch
model of a Microstrip antenna
60
r 2.2 L 6.255 cm x0 6.255 cm
tan 0.001 W / L 1.5
50
y0 0
Zin ( ) (Eigenfunction expansion)
40
30 h 1.524 mm 3.0 107 S/m a 0.635mm

20
10 Results for a typical patch show that the first

0
three methods agree very well, provided the
correct Q is used and the probe inductance is
-10
accounted for.
-20
1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57 1.58 1.59 1.6 1.61 1.62
Frequency (GHz)
99
Input Impedance
CAD Circuit Model for Input Impedance
The circuit model discussed assumes a probe feed.

Other circuit models exist for other types of feeds.
Note:
The mathematical justification of the CAD circuit model comes from a
cavity-model eigenfunction analysis.

100
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.
Probe Patch cavity
L
Lp
Zin R C
101
Input Impedance
R
Z in j Lp
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
Zin Rin jX in
102
Input Impedance
R
Rin 2
f f0 Rinmax Rin R
1 Q f f0
f0 f
R is the input resistance at the resonance of the patch cavity
(the frequency that maximizes Rin).
f f0 (resonance of RLC circuit)

Lp
L
max C
R in R
f f0
103
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 R: the input resistance at the cavity resonance frequency f0
four parameters
have been given Q: the quality factor of the patch cavity
earlier. Lp: the probe inductance
Lp (R, f0, Q)
L
C
Zin R
104
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)
r = 2.2 W/L = 1.5 L = 3.0 cm 105

Input Impedance
Results: Input Reactance vs. Frequency
Note: exact means the cavity model will all infinite modes.
Frequency80 where the input
resistance is maximum (f0) Rectangular patch
60
CAD
exact
40
Xin ( )
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
r = 2.2 W/L = 1.5 L = 3.0 cm 106

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.
1) Calculate the following:

The final patch dimensions L and W (in cm)
The feed location x0 (distance of the feed from the closest patch edge, in cm)
The bandwidth of the antenna (SWR < 2 definition, expressed in percent)
The radiation efficiency of the antenna (accounting for conductor, dielectric, and surface-
wave loss, and expressed in percent)
The probe reactance Xp at the operating frequency (in )
The expected complex input impedance (in ) at the operating frequency, accounting for the
probe inductance
Directivity
Gain
2) Plot the input impedance vs. frequency.
107
Design Example
Results from the CAD formulas y

Feed at (x0, y0)
1) L = 6.07 cm, W = 9.11 cm
2) x0 = 1.82 cm
3) BW = 1.24% y0 = W/2
4) er = 81.9% W
5) Xp = 11.1
6) Zin = 50.0 + j(11.1) x
7) D = 5.85 (7.67 dB) L
8) G = (D)(er) = 4.80 (6.81 dB)
108
Design Example
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 = 56.8 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 fghz 1.65
f (GHz)
109
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
110
Circular Polarization
Three main techniques:
1) Single feed with nearly degenerate eigenmodes (compact but small

CP bandwidth).
2) Dual feed with delay line or 90o hybrid phase shifter (broader CP
bandwidth but uses more space).
3) Synchronous subarray technique (produces high-quality CP due to

cancellation effect, but requires even more space).
The techniques will be illustrated with a rectangular patch.
111
Single Feed Method
(0,1)
The feed is on the diagonal.
The patch is nearly
(but not exactly) square. W
(1,0)
L W
L
Basic principle: The two dominant modes (1,0) and (0,1) are
excited with equal amplitude, but with a 45o phase.
112
Design equations: y
fx f y
fCP
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 fCP 1
2Q x
Top sign for LHCP,
L
1
bottom sign for RHCP.
f y fCP 1
2Q
The frequency fCP is also the resonance frequency: Zin Rin Rx Ry

The resonant input resistance of the CP patch at fCP is the same as
what a linearly-polarized patch fed at the same position would be.
113
Other Variations
Note: Diagonal modes are used as degenerate modes
y y
L L
x x
L L
Patch with slot Patch with truncated corners

114
Here we compare bandwidths (impedance and axial-ratio):
1
Linearly-polarized (LP) patch: BW LP
SWR (SWR 2)
2Q
Circularly-polarized (CP) single-feed patch:
BW CP
SWR
Q
2
(SWR 2)
CP
BWAR
0.348
Q
AR 2 (3dB)
The axial-ratio bandwidth is small when using the single-feed method.
W. L. Langston and D. R. Jackson, Impedance, Axial-Ratio, and Receive-Power Bandwidths of

Microstrip Antennas, IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, vol. 52, pp. 2769-2773, Oct. 2004.
115
Dual-Feed Method
y RHCP
Phase shift realized with delay line: L
P
L
P+g/4
116
Phase shift realized with 90o quadrature hybrid (branchline coupler)
RHCP
Z0 Z0 / 2 Z0
Feed
g/4 Z0
50 Ohm load
g/4
This gives us a higher bandwidth than the simple power divider,

but requires a load resistor.
117
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.
118
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
119
Circular Patch
a x
h r
120
Circular Patch
Resonance Frequency
From separation of variables:
Ez cos m J m k1 a PMC
k1 k0 r
Jm = Bessel function of first kind, order m.
Ez
0 J m k1a 0
a
121
Circular Patch
Resonance Frequency
J m k1a 0
a PMC
This gives us

k1a xmn
(nth root of Jm Bessel function)
c
f mn
xmn c
1
2 r 0 0
122
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
Dominant mode: TM11
c
f11
x11 1.841
x11
2 a r
123
Circular Patch
Dominant mode: TM11
y y
x x
Circular patch Square patch

W=L
The circular patch is somewhat similar to a square patch.
124
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 2h
ln 1.7726 or a ln 1.7726
a r r 2h
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.
125
Circular Patch
Patterns
(The patterns are based on the magnetic current model.)
2a
x
h r
Infinite GP and substrate
H-plane
The origin is at the y

center of the patch. x
E-plane
a The probe is on the x axis.
In patch cavity:
J1 k1 1
Ez , cos k1 k0 r
J1 k1a h
(The edge voltage has a maximum of one volt.)
126
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 cos
TE

0
tan k hN jN
sec
r j 0 jk0 r
2 j cos E0
N 4 r
e
Q 1 TM
r
tan k0 h N j cos
N N r sin 2
Note: To account for lossy substrate, use r rc r 1 j tan

127
Circular Patch
Input Resistance
J12 k1 0
Rin Redge 2
J1 k1a
k1 k0 r
128
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

Jinc x J1 x / x
Psp = power radiated into space by circular patch with maximum

edge voltage of one volt.
129
Circular Patch
Input Resistance (cont.)
CAD Formula:

Psp ( k0 a ) 2 I c
80 e0 1
e2 0.400000
e4 0.0785710
6
4 pc k0 a e2 k
2k
e6 7.27509 103
I c pc
3 k 0 e8 3.81786 104
e10 1.09839 105
e12 1.47731 107
130
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
131
Improving Bandwidth
Some of the techniques that have been successfully

developed are illustrated here.
The literature may be consulted for additional designs and variations.
132
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
Capacitive top hat on probe:
133
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).
Note: There is no probe inductance to worry about here.
Patch substrate Patch
Foam
Microstrip
substrate
Microstrip line Slot
J.-F. Zrcher and F. E. Gardiol, Broadband Patch Antennas, Artech House, Norwood, MA, 1995.
134
Improving Bandwidth
Stacked Patches
Bandwidth increase is due to thick low-permittivity antenna

substrates and a dual or triple-tuned resonance.
Bandwidths of 25% have been achieved using a probe feed.
Bandwidths of 100% have been achieved using an ACP feed.
Patch substrates Coupling patch

Top Patch
Microstrip
substrate
Microstrip line
Slot
135
Improving Bandwidth
Stacked Patches
-5
-10
Return Loss (dB)

-15
Measured
-20
Computed
-25
-30
-35
-40
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Frequency (GHz)
Stacked patch with ACP feed
Bandwidth (S11 = -10 dB) is about 100%

136
Improving Bandwidth
Stacked Patches
90 80
100 70
110
0 60
12
0 50
13
40
14
0
30
15
160
20
170
10
0
180
0
1
5
0.2
0.5
10
-170
-10
-160
-20
13 GHz
-30
-15
0
-4
14
0
-
-5
30
4 GHz
0
-1
0 -60
-12 -70
-110 -80
-100 -90
Stacked patch with ACP feed
Two extra loops are observed on the Smith chart.

137
Improving Bandwidth
Parasitic Patches
Radiating Edges Gap Coupled

Microstrip Antennas Mush of this work
(REGCOMA). was pioneered by
K. C. Gupta.
Non-Radiating Edges Gap

Coupled Microstrip Antennas
(NEGCOMA)
Four-Edges Gap Coupled

Microstrip Antennas
(FEGCOMA)
Bandwidth improvement factor:

REGCOMA: 3.0, NEGCOMA: 3.0, FEGCOMA: 5.0?
138
Improving Bandwidth
Direct-Coupled Patches
Radiating Edges Direct

(REDCOMA).
Non-Radiating Edges Direct

(NEDCOMA)
Four-Edges Direct Coupled

Microstrip Antennas
(FEDCOMA)
Bandwidth improvement factor:

REDCOMA: 5.0, NEDCOMA: 5.0, FEDCOMA: 7.0
139
Improving Bandwidth
U-Shaped Slot
The introduction of a U-shaped slot can give a

significant bandwidth (10%-40%).
(This is due to a double resonance effect, with two different modes.)
Single Layer Single Patch Wideband Microstrip Antenna, T. Huynh and K. F. Lee,
Electronics Letters, Vol. 31, No. 16, pp. 1310-1312, 1986.
140
Improving Bandwidth
Double U-Slot
A 44% bandwidth was achieved.
Y. X. Guo, K. M. Luk, and Y. L. Chow, Double U-Slot Rectangular Patch Antenna,

Electronics Letters, Vol. 34, No. 19, pp. 1805-1806, 1998.
141
Improving Bandwidth
E Patch
A modification of the U-slot patch.
A bandwidth of 34% was achieved (40% using a capacitive washer to

compensate for the probe inductance).
B. L. Ooi and Q. Shen, A Novel E-shaped Broadband Microstrip Patch Antenna,

Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 348-352, 2000.
142
Multi-Band Antennas
A multi-band antenna is sometimes more desirable than a broadband

antenna, if multiple narrow-band channels are to be covered.
General Principle:
Introduce multiple resonance paths into the antenna.
143
Multi-Band Antennas
Low-band
Low-band
Feed High-band Feed
Low-band
High-band
Dual-band E patch Dual-band patch with parasitic strip
144
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
145
Miniaturization
High Permittivity
Quarter-Wave Patch
PIFA
Capacitive Loading
Slots
Meandering
Note: Miniaturization usually comes at a price of reduced bandwidth!
Usually, bandwidth is proportional to the volume of the patch cavity,

as we will see in the examples.
146
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.)
147
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.

U s U s / 2
Neglecting losses:
Us
Q 2Q
Q 0
Pr Pr Pr / 4

Note: 1/2 of the radiating magnetic current
148
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.
(Bandwidth is proportional to the patch width.)
149
Miniaturization
Quarter-Wave Patch with Fewer Vias
Use 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.)
150
Miniaturization
Quarter-Wave Patch with Fewer Vias
Inductance
Short Open
The Smith chart provides a simple explanation for the length reduction.
151
Miniaturization
Planar Inverted F (PIFA)
Feed
Shorting strip or via
Top view
A single shorting strip or via is used.
This antenna can be viewed as a limiting case of the via-loaded patch,

or as an LC resonator.
152
Miniaturization
PIFA with Capacitive Loading
Feed
Shorting plate Top view
The capacitive loading allows for the length of the PIFA to be reduced.
1
0
LC
153
Miniaturization
Circular Patch Loaded with Vias
Feed c
2a
Patch Metal vias
The patch has a monopole-like pattern

The patch operates in the (0,0) mode, as an LC resonator
(Hao Xu Ph.D. dissertation, University of Houston, 2006)

154
Miniaturization
Circular Patch Loaded with Vias
Example: Circular Patch Loaded with 2 Vias
0
0
315
-10
45
-20
-5
-30
S11[db]
-10
-20
-30
-40
-10
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)
155
Miniaturization
Slotted Patch
Top view
0o 90o
Linear CP
The slot forces the current to flow through a longer path,

increasing the effective dimensions of the patch.
156
Miniaturization
Meandering
Via
Feed
Feed Via
Meandered quarter-wave patch Meandered PIFA
Meandering forces the current to flow through a longer path,

increasing the effective dimensions of the patch.
Meandering also increases the capacitance of the PIFA line.
157
Outline
Feeding methods
CAD Formulas
Radiation pattern
Input Impedance
Circular patch
Improving bandwidth
Miniaturization
158
Reducing Surface and Lateral Waves
Reduced Surface Wave (RSW) Antenna
z
Feed
b
Shorted annular ring
o
a
x a b
h
Ground plane Feed
SIDE VIEW TOP VIEW
D. R. Jackson, J. T. Williams, A. K. Bhattacharyya, R. Smith, S. J. Buchheit, and S. A. Long,

Microstrip Patch Designs that do Not Excite Surface Waves, IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat.,
vol. 41, No 8, pp. 1026-1037, August 1993.
159
Reducing surface-wave excitation and lateral radiation reduces

edge diffraction and mutual coupling.
Edge diffraction degrades the radiation pattern on a finite ground plane.

Mutual coupling causes an desirable coupling between antennas.
160
edge diffraction.
Space-wave radiation (desired)
Lateral radiation (undesired)
Diffracted field at edge
Surface waves (undesired)
161
y Reducing the Surface Wave Excitation
TM11 mode:
1
a x Ez , V0 cos J1 k1
hJ1 k1a
M s
k k1 k0 r V0
At edge: Ez cos
h
M s n E zE
z
M s Ez a,
V0
M s cos
h
162
y
Substrate
V0
a x M s cos
h
M s
Surface-Wave Excitation:

EzTM 0 ATM 0 cos H1 2 TM 0 e jkz 0 z
(z > h)

ATM 0 AJ1 TM 0 a
Set
J1 TM 0 a 0
163
y
Substrate
TM a x1n
0
a x
For TM11 mode: 1.841
x11
M s
Hence TM a 1.841
0
Patch resonance: k1a 1.841
Note: TM k1
0
The RSW patch is too big to be resonant.
164
z
Feed
b
Shorted annular ring
o
a
x a b
h
Ground plane Feed
SIDE VIEW TOP VIEW
TM b 1.841
0
The radius a is chosen to make the patch resonant:

k1 x11

J 1
J 1 k1a

TM 0
Y1 k1a k1 x11

Y1
TM
0
165
Reducing the Lateral Radiation
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 ASP cos e
SP
(z = h)

z
ASP CJ1 k0a
Set J1 k0a 0 k0a 1.841

166
y
Substrate
For a thin substrate:
a x TM k0
0
M s
The same design reduces
both surface-wave fields and
lateral-radiation fields.
Note: The diameter of the RSW antenna is found from
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!).
167
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
60 -20 -60 60 -20 -60
-30 -30
-40 -30 -20 -10 -40 -30 -20 -10

90 -90 90 -90
120 240 120 240
150 210 150 210
180 180
Conventional RSW
168
mutual coupling.
Space-wave radiation
Lateral radiation
Surface waves
169
Reducing surface-wave excitation and lateral radiation reduces mutual coupling.
-10 E-plane RSW - Measured

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]
Mutual Coupling Between Reduced Surface-Wave Microstrip Antennas, M. A. Khayat, J. T. Williams, D. R.

Jackson, and S. A. Long, IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 48, pp. 1581-1593, Oct. 2000.
170
References
General references about microstrip antennas:
Microstrip Patch Antennas, K. F. Fong Lee and K. M. Luk, Imperial

College Press, 2011.
Microstrip and Patch Antennas Design, 2nd Ed., R. Bancroft, Scitech

Publishing, 2009.
Microstrip Patch Antennas: A Designers Guide, R. B. Waterhouse,

Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003.
Microstrip Antenna Design Handbook, R. Garg, P. Bhartia, I. J. Bahl,

and A. Ittipiboon, Editors, Artech House, 2001.
Advances in Microstrip and Printed Antennas, K. F. Lee, Editor, John
Wiley, 1997.
171
References (cont.)
General references about microstrip antennas (cont.):
CAD of Microstrip Antennas for Wireless Applications, R. A. Sainati,

Artech House, 1996.
Microstrip Antennas: The Analysis and Design of Microstrip Antennas

and Arrays, D. M. Pozar and D. H. Schaubert, Editors, Wiley/IEEE
Press, 1995.
Millimeter-Wave Microstrip and Printed Circuit Antennas, P. Bhartia,
Artech House, 1991.
The Handbook of Microstrip Antennas (two volume set), J. R.

James and P. S. Hall, INSPEC, 1989.
Microstrip Antenna Theory and Design, J. R. James, P. S. Hall, and

C. Wood, INSPEC/IEE, 1981.
172
References (cont.)
More information about the CAD formulas presented here

for the rectangular patch may be found in:
Microstrip Antennas, D. R. Jackson, Ch. 7 of Antenna Engineering

Handbook, J. L. Volakis, Editor, McGraw Hill, 2007.
Computer-Aided Design of Rectangular Microstrip Antennas, D. R.

Jackson, S. A. Long, J. T. Williams, and V. B. Davis, Ch. 5 of Advances
in Microstrip and Printed Antennas, K. F. Lee, Editor, John Wiley, 1997.
173
References (cont.)
References devoted to broadband microstrip antennas:
Compact and Broadband Microstrip Antennas, K.-L. Wong,

John Wiley, 2003.
Broadband Microstrip Antennas, G. Kumar and K. P. Ray,

Artech House, 2002.
Broadband Patch Antennas, J.-F. Zrcher and F. E. Gardiol,

Artech House, 1995.
174
175

Introduction to Microstrip Antennas Fundamentals

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Introduction to Microstrip Antennas Fundamentals

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Introduction to Microstrip Antennas

Provide an introduction to microstrip antennas.

Some basic references are provided at the end of these viewgraphs.

ECE 6345: Microstrip Antennas

0 wavelength of free space 0 c / f

k0 wavenumber of free space k0 0 0 2 / 0

r relative permtitivity (dielectric constant) of substrate

One of the most useful antennas at microwave frequencies (f > 1 GHz).

Microstrip line feed Coax feed

Rectangular Square Circular Annular ring

Invented by Bob Munson in 1972 (but earlier work by Dechamps

Became popular starting in the 1970s.

G. Deschamps and W. Sichak, Microstrip Microwave Antennas, Proc. of Third

R. E. Munson, Microstrip Phased Array Antennas, Proc. of Twenty-Second Symp.

R. E. Munson, Conformal Microstrip Antennas and Microstrip Phased Arrays, IEEE

Low profile (can even be conformal, i.e. flexible to conform to a

Low bandwidth (but can be improved by a variety of techniques). Bandwidths of

Efficiency may be lower than with other antennas. Efficiency is limited by

Cannot handle extremely large amounts of power (dielectric breakdown).

* Conductor and dielectric losses become more severe for thinner

Cell phone antennas

Linear array (1-D corporate feed)

2-D 8X8 corporate-fed array 4 8 corporate-fed / series-fed array

The substrate is so thin that it can be bent to conform to the surface.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Rodney B. Waterhouse)

Note: L is the resonant dimension (direction of current flow).

Some of the more common methods for

The feeding methods are illustrated for a rectangular patch,

Feed at (x0, y0) x

Allows for planar feeding

Recent work has shown

Y. Hu, D. R. Jackson, J. T. Williams, and S. A. Long, Characterization of the Input Impedance of

Microstrip line Microstrip

Feed-line radiation is isolated from patch radiation

Allows for use of different substrates to optimize

Y. T. Lo, D. Solomon, and W. F. Richards, Theory and Experiment on Microstrip Antennas,

The patch acts approximately as a resonant cavity (with short-circuit (PEC)

In a cavity, only certain modes are allowed to exist, at different resonance

If the antenna is excited at a resonance frequency, a strong field is set up inside

On patch and ground plane: Et 0 E z E z

Inside the patch cavity, because of the thin substrate,

Magnetic field inside patch cavity:

Note: The magnetic field is purely horizontal.

On the edges of the patch: y

Since the magnetic field is approximately

Actual patch PMC Model

The resonance frequency is mainly controlled by the

Approximately, (assuming PMC walls)

Note: Some authors use effective permittivity in this equation.

Note: Even though the Hammerstad

This is a good rule of thumb to give a quick estimate.

The bandwidth is directly proportional to substrate thickness h.

However, if h is greater than about 0.05 0 , the probe inductance (for a

The bandwidth is inversely proportional to r (a foam substrate gives a high

The bandwidth of a rectangular patch is proportional to the patch width W

Some Bandwidth Observations

For a typical substrate thickness (h /0 = 0.02), and a typical substrate

By using a thick foam substrate, bandwidth of about 10% can be achieved.

By using special feeding techniques (aperture coupling) and stacked

The discrete data points are measured values.

The resonant input resistance is proportional to r.

The resonant input resistance is directly controlled by the location of the

The patch is usually fed along the centerline (y0 = W / 2)