DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF MICROSTRIP ARRAY ANTENNA USING BOTH-SIDED MICROWAVE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR GAIN ENHANCEMENT

Abstract

In the contemporary landscape of communication systems, Microstrip Patch Antennas (MPAs) have gained immense popularity owing to their low profile, cost-effectiveness, and fabrication simplicity. In high-performance aircraft, spacecraft, satellite, and missile applications, where size, weight, cost, performance, ease of installation, and aerodynamic profile are constraints and low-profile microstrip antennas may be potent candidate. Despite their widespread use, MPAs exhibit a notable drawback in the form of low gain response. Researchers are actively engaged in overcoming this limitation, exploring diverse techniques to enhance MPA performance for specific applications. High gain antennas are particularly desirable in practical scenarios, providing extended coverage compared to their low gain counterparts. Microstrip array antennas emerge as promising candidates for achieving high gain, leveraging multiple radiating elements on a single substrate for versatile wireless applications. This thesis delves into the background and current state of the problem surrounding MPA gain limitations. Various strategies reported in the literature to address these limitations include the use of parasitic patches, thick substrates, multi-resonator techniques, conventional array techniques, large ground planes, and stacked patches. However, each technique presents its own set of drawbacks, such as increased antenna size, complexity in multilayer fabrication, and additional impedance matching circuit requirements. Notably, conventional array antennas necessitate impedance matching circuits and transmission lines for connecting array elements, leading to bulkiness and increased internal losses, thereby compromising efficiency. In response to these challenges, the thesis proposes the exploration of a novel technique both-sided MIC. Operating at microwave frequencies, this technique holds promise in mitigating the drawbacks associated with existing strategies. The thesis aims to investigate the design and optimization of a Microstrip Array Antenna utilizing both-sided MIC for gain enhancement. Through comprehensive analysis and experimentation, the goal is to establish the efficacy of this innovative approach in achieving high gain while addressing the limitations posed by traditional methods. The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of micro strip antenna technology, opening new avenues for practical and efficient wireless communication systems.