ELE-6216 ANTENNA PROJECT

MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA DESIGN

Submitted to: Jouko Heikkinen

Department of Electronics
04. April 2011
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ABSTRACT
TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Master’s Degree Programme in Radio Frequency Electronics
SAINJU, PRABHAT MAN
BANIYA, ANIL: Microstrip Patch Antenna Design
Project Report, 21 pages, 3 Appendix pages
April 2011
Subject: ELE-6216 Antenna Project
Examiner: Jouko Heikkinen
Keywords: Microstrip Patch Antenna, Antenna Design, Antenna Simulation

Microstrip patch antennas are widely used in modern day communication devices due to
their small size, low cost and ease of fabrication. This report deals with the design, con-
struction, simulation and measurement of a microstrip patch antenna. The antenna has
been constructed to operate under given design specifications. A standard commercial
tool has been used to simulate the antenna structure. The simulations have been com-
pared with the real time measurement data. The data have been properly analysed to
justify the theory.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract .............................................................................................................................. i
Terms and Abbreviations .................................................................................................iii
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
2 Theory of Microstrip Antennas ................................................................................. 2
2.1 Antenna Parameters .......................................................................................... 4
2.1.1 Antenna Gain ....................................................................................... 4
2.1.2 Return Loss .......................................................................................... 4
2.1.3 Antenna Efficiency .............................................................................. 4
2.1.4 Antenna Bandwidth ............................................................................. 4
3 Design and Simulation .............................................................................................. 5
3.1 Design ............................................................................................................... 5
3.1.1 Design Specification ............................................................................ 5
3.1.2 Substrate Specification ........................................................................ 5
3.1.3 Feed Specification................................................................................ 5
3.1.4 Calculations ......................................................................................... 5
3.2 Simulation Tool and Methodology ................................................................... 6
3.2.1 Simulation Components....................................................................... 6
3.2.2 Simulation Results ............................................................................... 6
4 Fabrication................................................................................................................. 8
5 Measurements ........................................................................................................... 9
5.1 VNA Measurements .......................................................................................... 9
5.2 Measurement with SATIMO Starlab .............................................................. 10
6 Analysis of AUT ..................................................................................................... 12
7 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 13
References ....................................................................................................................... 14
Appendix A: Simulated Results ...................................................................................... 15
Appendix B: Measured Results of AUT ......................................................................... 16
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TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ADS Advanced Design System

MPA Microstrip Patch Antenna
RF Radio Frequency
EMC ElectroMagnetic Compatibility
TUT Tampere University of Technology
VNA Vector Network Analyzer
FEM Finite Element Method
AUT Antenna Under Test
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1 INTRODUCTION

Microstrip Patch Antenna is a flat radiating element mounted on a flat surface. The ra-
diating element consists of a rectangular metallic patch placed over larger metallic sheet
that acts as a ground plane. The two sheets are separated by a dielectric. This structure
of a dielectric slab placed between the two metallic sheets forms a microstrip line. Mi-
crostrip patch antennas are easy to fabricate via photo-lithographic process or printed
electronics and the design concerns are merely limited to the scaling of the dimensions.
These antennas are highly miniaturized and mostly advantageous on modern day wire-
less communications where size does matter.
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2 THEORY OF MICROSTRIP ANTENNAS

Microstriplines are planar transmission lines with a conducting metallic strips realized
on flat surfaces over a ground plane separated by a dielectric substance. These micro-
strip structures can easily be constructed using the printed electronics and photolitho-
graphy technology. This microstrip structure when properly scaled in dimension and
appropriately fed acts as a radiating element. This feature has now been widely utilized
in modern day communication devices since they are miniaturized compared to other
antenna structures where space and size are also important factors to be taken care of.
They are low cost and easily fabricable.
An important part of the antenna apart from its own structure is the feed; its the source
of the signal that is required to be radiated to the outer space.

Types of microstrip antennas

 Rectangular
 Circular
 Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) etc.
Among the above listed types, this report focuses in the rectangular microstrip antennas.

Figure 3.1. MPA with probe feed

Figure 3.1 shows the rectangular patch antenna. Upper layer of the structure consist of
the radiating element with length (L) and width (W) which is perfect electric material. In
our case the patch is square hence L=W. The lower layer of the structure is also a per-
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fect electric material known as ground plane and the middle layer is the substrate of
height h.
There are different options available for the feed sources. The most used sources are:
 Inset Microstrip
 Quarter-wave transformer
 Probe coupling

The dimensions of the rectangular patch antennas affect the overall operations of the
antenna and are directly related to the antenna specifications.
With the center frequency of the antenna given, the width of the microstrip patch is tak-
en as [1]
𝐶0
𝑊= 3.1
𝜀𝑟 + 1
2 × 𝑓0 2
Where 𝜀𝑟 = 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
C0 = velocity of light in free space
𝑓0 = 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑎

The length extension of the rectangular patch is given as

𝑊
𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓 + 0.3 ( + 0.264)
∆𝑙 = 0.412 × ℎ × ℎ (3.2)
𝑊
𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓 − 0.258 ( + 0.8)
ℎ
Where the effective dielectic constant 𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓 is given as,
−1 2
𝜀𝑟 + 1 𝜀𝑟 − 1 ℎ
𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓 = + 1 + 12 3.3
2 2 𝑊
And h is the height of the dielectric substrate.

Thus finally the length of the patch L is given as,

𝐶0
𝐿= − 2∆𝑙 (3.4)
2𝑓0 𝜀𝑒𝑓𝑓

As mentioned earlier, feed position is another important portion of the antenna design.
Of the lists of feeds mentioned, probe coupling has been focused in this report. The lo-
cation of the feed point from the edge of the patch is given as,

𝐿 𝑍𝑖𝑛
∆𝑥 = cos −1 3.5
𝜋 𝑍𝐴

Where Zin is the input impedance of the antenna and ZA is the antenna impedance given
by
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2
90𝜀𝑟2 𝐿
𝑍𝐴 = 𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑠 3.6
𝜀𝑟 − 1 𝑊

2.1 Antenna Parameters

2.1.1 Antenna Gain

Antenna gain is defined as the ratio of electric field intensity of an antenna in a given
direction to that of an isotropic antenna that radiates equally in all directions.

2.1.2 Return Loss

The return loss refers to the logarithmic ratio of measured in dB that compares the pow-
er reflected to the antenna to the power fed to the antenna by the feed [3].
Return Loss
𝑅𝐿 = −20 log 𝜏 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝐵𝑠 3.7

Where reflection coefficient

𝑍𝐴 − 𝑍0
𝜏= (3.8)
𝑍𝐴 + 𝑍0

2.1.3 Antenna Efficiency

Antenna efficiency is defined as the ratio of radiated power to the supplied power or the
available power [4].

2.1.4 Antenna Bandwidth

Antenna bandwidth is the frequency range within which the antenna operates at its op-
timum level. Analytically it can be taken as the range of the frequencies where the re-
turn loss is > 10 dB.
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3 DESIGN AND SIMULATION

3.1 Design
This section includes the design methodology implemented for the construction of the
microstrip patch antenna. Guided work instruction has been followed for the Design
specification [5].

3.1.1 Design Specification

Following are the specifications that the designed microstrip antenna has to meet:
 Square Microstrip Patch
 Center frequency = 2 GHz
 Bandwidth > 1 %
 Input return loss > 10 dB ( 50 ɏ )
 Efficiency > 70 %
 Gain > 4 dBi

3.1.2 Substrate Specification

The substrate to be used here is : Rogers RO4003 (with photoresist coating) , thickness
60 mils (1.524 mm) [6].

3.1.3 Feed Specification

The feed used in this case is probe coupling. The probe coupler used here is 50 Ohm
SMA 4-Hole Flange Mount Jack Receptacle - Flush Dielectric [7].

3.1.4 Calculations

Width of the patch W (as per equation 3.1) = 50.60 mm

Length of the patch L (as per equation 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4) = 40.39 mm
Probe feed location (∆𝑥) = 15.73 mm

Since the required microstrip should have square orientation, the length (L=W) has been
taken as the dimension of the patch.
The required spacing of the substrate and ground plane around the patch is L/4. Hence
the length of the square substrate and the square ground plane is 60.58 mm. Please note
that this dimension of substrate and the ground plane is in reference to the patch dimen-
sion.
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3.2 Simulation Tool and Methodology

Simulation tool used in this case is Agilent EMPro 2010.07 version. FEM Iterative Ma-
trix Solver was chosen as the numerical method with delta correction of 0.005 for high-
er accuracy.

3.2.1 Simulation Components

The components of the microstrip antenna that was simulated using EMPro were:
 Ground Plane (taken as Perfect Electric Conductor)
 Substrate (With Relative Permittivity 3.38 and loss tangent 0.0021)
 Patch (radiating element assumed to be Perfect Electric Conductor)
 Pin of the probe feed (Source port assumed to be Perfect Electric Conductor.
The source is fed from the center of the pin to the edge of the ground plane).

3.2.2 Simulation Results

Simulations were conducted based on hit and trial method as the calculated dimensions
did not exactly yield the required specifications. Manipulation was mainly done with the
length of the square patch and the probe feed location. Following are the few of the ma-
jor simulation results obtained from EMPro for different combinations:

Table 4.1. Effect of variation of dimension of patch on antenna parameters

Length Center Fre- Return
Δx Bandwidth Gain Efficiency
(L=W in quency f0 (in Loss
(in mm) (in MHz) (in dBi) (in %)
mm) GHz) (in dBa)
40.39 15.73 1.905 - 8 3.78 35
39 11 1.953 25.4 25.205 4.706 37
38.4 11 2.042 28.1 25.969 4.706 44
38.6 11 2.033 28 25.205 4.703 55
38.7 11 2.0104 27.5 22.280 4.694 83

As from table 4.1 it is clear that the closest dimension that matches the given specifica-
tions is the last record with length 38.7 mm and probe feed point placed at 11 mm from
the end of the patch. The center frequency observed at this point was at 2.010 GHz with
bandwidth 27.5 MHz. Return loss 22.28 dBa and gain of 4.694 dBi. Hence this dimen-
sion has been used for the analysis and construction of the microstrip antenna.
The scattering parameter s11 gives the reflection coefficient of the antenna. Figure 4.1
shows the variation of reflection coefficient against the frequency for the dimension
selected above.
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Figure 4.2. Reflection coefficient versus Frequency

Figure 4.2 shows the s11 parameter variation with the frequency for the above selected
dimension. The center frequency has been marked at 2.0104 GHz where the measured
return loss was 22.28 dBa. Similarly, the bandwidth was measured at the points where
the return loss was 10 dB. These points have been marked in the figure above.

The smith chart presented in Figure A.1 on appendix A shows the simulated resonant
frequency at 2.0078 GHz where the impedance was found to be (0.10607-0.00011937i)
ohms.
Similarly the Figure A.2 shows the radiation pattern of EM field in three dimensions.
The major lobe is protruding above the patch while a small back lobe is also visible be-
low the ground plane.
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4 FABRICATION

The antenna dimension once fixed was built on the substrate Rogers RO4003 by wet-
etching process. The photoresist mechanism used was positive photoresist. Following
steps were followed for the fabrication process:
 The geometry of the microstrip patch was exported from EMPro to Agilent
ADS. Then geometry was printed on the standard A4 transparent sheet. Also the
geometry of the ground plane was similarly printed on the other transparent
sheet.
 The substrate was cut to the estimated dimension and its protective cover was
removed.
 The substrate was placed between the two transparent sheets such that one side
of substrate faced the print of the patch and the other side faced the print of the
ground plane.
 Then the enclosed sheet was placed inside the UV Exposure unit where the sub-
strate was exposed for 1 minute.
 The exposed substrate was then placed on the bath of development chemical
NaOH. The exposed part should now become visible. This is the part that has to
be etched out.
 The developed substrate was then placed in the bath of etching chemicals; water
(H2O) + hydrochloric acid (HCl) + hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
 The excess copper layer was removed from the radiating side with only the
patch left. An empty circle created for the probe feed was visible. The ground
plane however was intact with the circular hole for probe feed etched out.
 Any remaining unnecessary copper on the substrate was mechanically removed.
 A through hole was drilled at the circular mark created on both the patch and
ground plane. This would serve for the connection of the probe feed to the ra-
diating element.
 The Flange Mount Jack was soldered with the pin of the jack soldered to the ra-
diating patch and the base soldered to the ground plane.
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5 MEASUREMENTS

5.1 VNA Measurements

The first measurement carried out was with the 8722D HP VNA. The effect of the cable
and connector of the VNA on impedance and the overall delay was considered during
the measurement. To reduce its effect, VNA was calibrated accordingly.
The result was obtained in the form of smith chart. It showed the variation of input im-
pedance of AUT with the frequency. The frequency range tested was from 1.8 GHz to
2.2 GHz. At 2 GHz (the expected center frequency of the AUT), the input impedance
observed was 84.845+j0.622 Ω. The center frequency was found approximately near to
the given specification of 2 GHz.

m1
freq=2.000GHz
s1_1=0.258 / 0.758
impedance = 84.845 + j0.622
Impedance

m1

freq (1.800GHz to 2.200GHz)

Figure 6.1. Smith Chart of Microstrip Antenna as observed from VNA

The return loss and bandwidth measured by VNA is shown in figure 6.2. Markers have
been placed at the point of interest. The center frequency was found to be at 2.004 GHz
and bandwidth was found to be 23 MHz (>1%) which matched our expected perfor-
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mance. Return loss at the center frequency was found to be -12.06 dB which is better
than expected (<-10 dB).

m3
m1 freq=2.004GHz m2
freq=1.993GHz dB(s1_1)=-12.069 freq=2.016GHz
dB(s1_1)=-9.910 Min dB(s1_1)=-9.781
0

-2

-4
S11 (dB)

-6

-8
m1m2
-10
m3
-12

-14
1.80 1.85 1.90 1.95 2.00 2.05 2.10 2.15 2.20
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 6.2. s11 (Scattering Parameter) versus Frequency Plot as observed from VNA

It was also noted that the impedance of the antenna is greatly affected by the obstacles
in its near field region. The effect was not noticed when the obstacle was in the far field
region or beyond the main lobe of the antenna.

5.2 Measurement with SATIMO Starlab

It is a test station for the 3D measurements of the antenna radiation pattern. StarLab
uses an indirect measurement technique based on the Near Field measurement of the
AUT. It reconstructs the far field from the sampled near field using ”Near field to far
field transformation” algorithm [8].
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Figure 6.3. E and H Field gains at different zenith angle

Figure 6.3 shows the variation of the linear gain at different zenith angles (θ) for E and
H fields. The figure clearly depicts the main and back lobe of the AUT. The back lobe is
sufficiently small. This small back lobe radiation is an added advantage for using the
antenna in the cellular devices. [9]
Rest of the figures has been included in the appendix B.
Figure B.1 shows the efficiency of antenna at different frequencies. It is clear that AUT
has the highest efficiency at the center frequency.
Figure B.2 shows the variation of E and H field gains at different zenith angle in linear
form. It is similar to the figure 6.3 except that the figure 6.3 is the polar plot of the same
data.
Figure B.3 shows the gain of antenna at different frequencies. It is clear that AUT has
the highest gain at the center frequency.
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6 ANALYSIS OF AUT

The entire antenna project included the design, simulation, fabrication and measurement
of the patch antenna. The design itself was not perfectly implemented in the fabrication.
The first simulation result in table 4.1 shows that the theoretically calculated dimensions
did not meet the required specifications.
The center frequency itself was far from the specified value. Different hit and trials
were performed with the variations in length and the probe feed locations. The most
approximate result was found with the simulation and was implemented in the fabrica-
tion. The fabricated antenna with the given dimension yielded a quite satisfying result
compared to the specifications. The table below shows the comparative analysis of theo-
retical, simulated and fabricated antenna model.

Table 7.1. Analysis of the AUT data

Specifications Design Parameters
 Square Microstrip Patch  Length =38.7 mm
 Center frequency = 2 GHz  Δx = 11 mm
 Bandwidth > 1 %  Height of substrate = 1.524
 Input return loss > 10 dB (50 Ω) mm
 Efficiency > 70 %
 Gain > 4 dBi
Parameter Value from Simulation Measured from AUT
Model
Center Frequency (GHz) 2.0104 2.004
Bandwidth (MHz) 27.5 23
Return Loss (dB) 22.28 12.069
Efficiency (%) 83 77.6
Gain (dBi) 4.694 5.101

The simulation data seems to match with the required specification. Hence the simu-
lated design was approved for the fabrication. Similarly the AUT measurement data also
matched the required specifications. However, while comparing these two sets of data,
bandwidth, return loss and efficiency of measured data seem to be less than the simu-
lated data within the acceptable limits. The gain towards the main lobe however is
greater than the simulated one.
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7 CONCLUSION

Thus, a microstrip patch antenna was designed, simulated and constructed with the wet
etching process. The antenna was then measured in the antenna measurement sites to
yield the standard parameter data. An important take away from this project was the
learning of standard simulation tools like Agilent EMPro and Agilent ADS. Involve-
ment of team members from the design till the measurement made the every aspect of
modern day antenna design clear.
The deviation of the design results as per Table 4.1 was not clearly understood though.
The dimensions calculated from the standard analytical formulas did not yield the exact
specifications and thus hit and trial method was performed varying the length and probe
feed location. However, no clear trend was found between dimension and the center
frequency of the antenna. The numbers of simulations performed were not enough to
conclude on any specific reason for the variation of data observed in the simulation.
Higher delta error accuracy level would have yielded more accurate result in the cost of
higher computation time and processing power.
The project gave an insight on how the modern day antennas are constructed and what
are the things that need to be taken into account for the construction of antenna under
given specification and how the antennas are measured under the industrial standard test
measurements. The project was constructed within the timeframe given. This project
will definitely prove to be a great milestone in the learning curve for the antenna manu-
facturing.
Approximately 80 hours of working hours was required for the completion of the entire
project.
It would be better if the focus would be also made on the antenna beamwidth and affect
of polarization. There are few other parameters such as directivity; Axial Ratio etc could
be included further on the study.
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REFERENCES

[1] Balanis, C.A.: Antenna Theory - Analysis and Design (3rd Edition), available at the
TUT digital library (dLib) => ebooks => Knovel => search for “Balanis”
[2] Johnson Components SMA flange mount jack - datasheet (MOODLE)
[3] http://www.vias.org/wirelessnetw/wndw_06_05_02.html
[4] https://moodle.tut.fi/course/view.php?id=2608
[5] https://moodle.tut.fi/file.php/2608/Guided_work/ELE-
6216_Guided_Work_Instructions_v0.pdf
[6] https://moodle.tut.fi/file.php/2608/Data/rogers_4000_data.pdf
[7] https://moodle.tut.fi/file.php/2608/Data/Johnson_SMA_flange_mount_jack.pdf
[8] https://moodle.tut.fi/file.php/2608/Data/ELE-6216_Measurement_sites.pdf
[9] http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15048456/load_script.m
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APPENDIX A: SIMULATED RESULTS

Figure A.1. Smith Chart

Figure A.2. Radiation Pattern

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APPENDIX B: MEASURED RESULTS OF AUT

Figure B.1. Efficiency of AUT

Figure B.2. E and H-Plane Gain of AUT

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Figure B.3. Gain of AUT with frequency