Design of Enhanced Gain Two Element Linear Microstrip Antenna Array

Abstract

This paper discusses the comparative effect of Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) structures on two element Microstrip antenna array. The dielectric substrate used is FR-4 glass epoxy with dielectric constant 4.2 and loss tangent 0.0245. The conventional antenna array is resonating at a frequency of 5.53 GHz with a mutual coupling of -17.83 dB. The first proposed antenna array with square slot EBG structure in the ground plane and fractal patch EBG structure on the surface produces a mutual coupling of -50.21 dB and a gain of 8.78 dB at 5.53 GHz. The second proposed antenna array with star slot EBG structure in the ground plane and diamond patch EBG structure on the surface produces a mutual coupling of -51.63 dB and a gain of 7.20 dB at 5.53 GHz. Both the proposed antenna arrays are producing appreciable decrease in back lobe radiation. The antenna arrays are designed using Mentor Graphics IE3D software and measured are obtained using vector network analyzer.