Microstrip antennas have been one of the most innovative topics in antenna theory and design in recent years, and are increasingly finding application in a wide range of modern microwave systems. This paper begins with a brief overview of the basic characteristics of microstrip antennas, and then concentrates on the most significant developments in microstrip antenna technology that have been made in the last several years. Emphasis is on new antenna configurations for improved electrical performance and manufacturability and on advances in the analytical modeling of microstrip antennas and arrays. >

Microstrip antennas

A new technique for feeding printed antennas is described A microstrip antenna on one substrate is coupled to a microstripline feed on another parallel substrate through an aperture in the ground plane which separates the two substrates A simple theory explaining the coupling mechanism is presented, as well as measurements of a prototype aperture-fed antenna

Microstrip antenna aperture-coupled to a microstripline

The letter presents experimental results for a proximity-coupled microstrip patch antenna capable of 13% bandwidth. The impedance match (VSWR ≤ 2), copolarised radiation patterns and crosspolarised radiation were measured over this bandwidth to confirm operation. The construction is quite simple, consisting of a microstrip feedline on a substrate proximity-coupled to a rectangular microstrip patch on a covering superstrate; a small open-circuit tuning stub is connected in shunt with the feed line.

Increasing the bandwidth of a microstrip antenna by proximity coupling

Printed dipole antennas find increasing use in microwave as well as far infrared frequencies. The current distribution, input impedance, and radiation pattern are computed for wire antennas printed on a dielectric substrate. The current distribution is obtained by solving Pocklington's equation by moment methods. The Green's function pertinent to the problem involves improper Sommerfeld-type integrals. These integrals are computed by a real-axis integration technique which involves analytical and numerical steps. The effect of surface modes is carefully taken into account.

Current distribution and input impedance of printed dipoles

The reciprocity theorem and integral equation techniques are employed to determine the properties of integrated-circuit antennas. The effect of surface waves is considered for dipole and slot elements on substrates. The radiation and bandwidth of microstrip dipoles are optimized in terms of substrate thickness and permittivity.

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Substrate Optimization for Integrated Circuit Antennas

A new class of printed circuit radiator consisting of a microstrip dipole electromagnetically coupled to a microstrip feed line is described. Several configurations which differ in bandwidth, efficiency, and construction simplicity are presented. A geometry which has been found to be optimum for many applications is noted. Radiation characteristics of both isolated elements and arrays of elements are examined. Experimental and theoretical results are presented.

D. Huebner

Papers

Electromagnetically coupled microstrip dipoles