A wide-band compact planar antenna

Abstract

Patch antennas offer several advantages in many practical applications, among them wireless communication. The main limitation of a classical patch is a very narrow bandwidth. In recent years several modifications have been introduced to the patch design aimed at increasing impedance bandwidth and gain without increasing the patch size [1]-[14]. Short-circuiting the patch, introduction of slots, substrate of low dielectric constant, closely coupled elements forming a patch and thick substrate have been used. A modification of the ground plane by holes and slots is not considered as viable here, as it results in considerable back radiation. While by increasing overall antenna dimensions the impedance bandwidth can be reasonably increased, maintaining a compact structure presents an additional challenge.