Bandwidth Enhancement Methods Analysis for High-Gain Stacked Microstrip Antenna

Abstract

This article presents the results of bandwidth enhancement method analysis for a stacked microstrip antenna. Based on the analysis results, a new design of a wideband, compact, high-strength antenna is proposed. The antenna operates in a wide frequency band of 4660 to 6048 MHz (∼ 26%) with an impedance bandwidth matching of 15 dB; throughout its whole operating frequency range, the antenna gain is from 11 to 13.4 dBi. The antenna allows it to form a specific shape of radiation pattern with coverage predominantly in the upper (lower) hemisphere and a fixed main lobe deflection angle about 4 degrees in the elevation plane. The antenna consists of a wideband E-shaped active exciter and four passive rectangular exciters placed above the conductive plane (screen). All elements are made of sheet metal (e.g., stainless steel). The antenna size is 1.4λmax × 1.4λmax (1.6λ0 × 1.6λ0). The analysis of the characteristics of the designed antenna was performed using simulation in the ANSYS EM Suite. A prototype was made, and its properties were measured. The proposed antenna may be designed with a different frequency band with a matching band about 25% and can be used as a wireless communication system repeater or small cell antenna, as a ground station antenna in unmanned aircraft systems, or for other wideband applications with high gain. © (2024), (Electromagnetics Academy). All rights reserved.