A Single-Layer Dual-Band Dual-Sense Circularly Polarized Patch Antenna Array With Small Frequency Ratio

Abstract

A planar dual-band dual-sense circularly polarized (CP) microstrip array is proposed. This array is implemented on a single-layer substrate and easily extended to the design of a larger array. A new antenna element is exploited by symmetrically placing the nonradiative resonators on four side edges of a square patch. A quantitative design method is proposed based on the equivalent circuit model of the antenna element. For given two operating frequencies, the required design parameters of the patch and nonradiative resonators can be calculated. Theoretical magnitude ratio and phase difference responses of two far-field components, as well as axial ratio responses under different parameters, are presented to reveal the characteristics of the antenna element. Full-wave simulation results are found to agree well with the theoretical ones. To further validate the effectiveness, a $2 \times 2$ element dual-band dual-sense CP array operating at 2.40 and 2.68 GHz is designed, fabricated, and measured, where a small frequency ratio of 1.117 is achieved. The measured realized gains in the low and high bands are 11.7 and 11.8 dBi, respectively, which are approximately equal.