Analysis of Rectangular Microstrip Antennas with Air Substrates

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of rectangular microstrip antennas with air substrates. The effect of the substrate thickness on the bandwidth and the efficiency are examined. An additional thin layer supporting the dielectric material is added to the air substrate in order to make the antenna mechanically rigid and easy to manufacture.
The effect of the dielectric material, of this additional substrate layer and its thickness on the antenna characteristics, is investigated. The thin dielectric material is then inverted so that the patch is deposited on its lower side in order to protect the metal from the surrounding environment.


Keywords: microstrip antennas – air substrate – thickness – foam material – inverted patch – bandwidth – efficiency – return loss.

Technologies Avancees Vol. 18 2006: pp. 18-22