A Two Substrate Dual Polarised Aperture Coupled Patch

J. R. Sanford and A. Tengs* Department of Microwave Technology Chalmers University of Technology Gothenburg, Sweden
Introduction: The aperture coupled patch was introduced by Pozar in 19851I]. Since that time researchers have introduced countless variation on the original theme. In this paper we start with the arrangement discussed by Zurcher[2,3] and use an additional substrate to extend it to dual polarisation. Both dual linear and dual circular configurations are considered. A number of other dual polarised versions of the aperture coupled patch are found in literature[4,5,6] but most suffer from either a small bandwidth, poor cross polarisation isolation or require complicated feeding structures. The configuration discussed in this paper obtains the bandwidth advantages of the patches of the single polarised version and maintains a high degree of polarisation isolation. It employs a symmetric feeding structure. The importance of this symmetry property is discussed by Pozar[7]. We focus on dual polarised antennas where both polarisations are in the same band but frequency shifts of up to 20% between the bands have also been achieved. The frequencies are chosen to correspond with the Japanese digital mobile communicationssystem. The basic design was done using HP Momentum and the final design used empirically data combined with an optimisation scheme.

Dual Linear Configuration: The design of the element uses two useful characteristics of the slot coupled patch. First, the reflection from the coupling slot is essentially independent of the line impedance. Hence, the aperture coupled patch can be accurately represented by a series impedance connected as shown in , . This means that the characteristic impedance of the line is figure 1, where z,, is independent of 2 of no consequence. Hence, after a power division there is no need to transform back to 50 ohms. Secondly, we use the observation that the microstrip line can be on the opposite side of the ground plane from the patch, as in the standard configurauon, or alternatively it can be between the ground plane and the patch . Both configurations give approximately the same impedance.
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We take advantage of these characteristics by placing a substrate both over a crossed slot and under it, as shown in figure 2. In the dual linear configuration the two microstrip circuits are

constructed identically. The input 50 Ohm line is divided into two 100 Ohm lines so as not to interfere with the cross-slot's parallel line. The two branches are placed symmetrically and therefore introduce no cross polarisation. They are located far enough from the parallel portion of the cross-slot so as not to have a significant coupling. Each of the lines to the slot have the appropriate matching network integrated into the line at a point very near the slot.

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suhetrates
slot 6 2 " patch 6 5 " patch height 22" stub length 12" matching network 18OQ. 60 substrates ~,=2.48, 1 5mm Ground plane 150xl50mm

Figure 2 - Dual Linear Polarised Configuration The dual circular polarised configuration is shown in figure 3. We use the same basic ideas and the matching is identical. Each of the upper feed lines is connected to each of the limes on the lower substrate. One is connected with a XI4 delay and the other with a XI4 advance in order to get the two orthogonal circular polarisations. The upper connector excites right hand circular polarisation while the lower excites left hand circular.

Substrates

(same as the dual linear antenna)

Figure 3 - Dual Circular Polarised Configuration We also note that it is possible to eliminate the through holes if we make the stub short enough so as not to overlap with the other arm.Hence, we realise one complete circular polarised circuit on the bottom and the other on the top.

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Measurement Results: This particular design is optimised for maximum 1 3 1 SWR bandwidth. The finite ground-plane affects the impedance. Empirical data is used in conjunction with an optimisation scheme to produce the final design. Therefore, the impedance matching circuit compensates for the finite ground-plane effects. Figure 4 shows the return loss of both the dual linear and dual circular configurations. We achieve a 20% 1.5:l frequency bandwidth with both ports of both the dual linear and dual circular configurations. For both cases the polarisation isolation is better than 35dB between the ports over the entire frequency band. This is simply a measurement of S,, between the two antenna ports.
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a) Dual Linear b) Dual Circular Figure 4 - Standing wave ratio of dual polarised aperture coupled patches
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Figure 5 - Radiation pattems of dual linear polarised aperture coupled patches The radiation pattems of the dual linear and dual circular polarised configurations are shown in figure 5 and figure 6 respectively. The circular polarised patch was measured with a spinning dipole configuration. For clarity, we show only the pattern of one of the circuits. By reasons of symmetry the two circularly polarised patterns are identical. The finite ground plane has a significant effect on the radiation pattern. This particular design suffers from a poor front to back
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ratio due in large part to the large, and nearly resonant, slot. The use of a smaller cross slot reduces the backlobe at the expense of bandwidth. The small asymmetries in the pattem most liiely result from the connector attachments and feeding cable. The circular polarised antenna has an axial ratio better than 2:l over the frequency band. Both configurations have a gain of about 7.5dBi. This value varied about 1.5dE3 over the band.
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Figure 6 - Radiation patterns of dual circular polarised aperture coupled patches Conclusion: We presented a broad band dual polarised aperture coupled patch with high polarisation isolation. Both dual linear and dual circular configurations were investigated. Although dimensions are give for a specific substrate and frequency using the impedances and frequency scaling this design can be applied to other frequency bands. These particular designs were optimised for wide bandwidth but the concept can be applied to build antennas with varied specifications. The key to the designs is the use of two substrates; one on top of the aperture and one below. References: [l] D. M. Pozar, "A reciprocity Method of Analysisfor Printed Slot and Slot Coupled Microstrip Antennas," IEEE Trans. on AP,Vol34 No. 12 December 1986. [2] J.-F.Zurcher, "The SSFIP: A Global Concept for High Performance BroadbandPlanar Antennas," Electronic Letters, Vol. 24, pp. 1433-1435. Nov. 1988. [31 J. R. Sanford, "Optimisationof Aperture Coupled Patch Antennas," Proc. of ANTE" '94, Swedish national conference,Sept 1994. [4] M. Edimo, A. Sharaiha, "OptimisedFeeding of Dual Polarised Broadband ApertureCoupled Printed Antennas," Vol. 28, No. 19, pp. 1785-1787, Sept 1992 [SI A. Adrian, D.H. Schaubert, "Dual ApertureCoupled Microstrip Antenna for Dual or Circular Polarisation," Electronic Letters, vol. 23, no. 23 pp. 1226-1228,Nov. 1987. [6] E. Aloni, R. Kastner, "Analysisof a Dual CircularlyPolarized MicrostripAntenna Fed by a Crossed Slot," IEEE Trans on AP,Vol. 42, No. 8 p 1053, August 1994. [7] S . D: Targonski, D. M. Pozar,"Design of Wideband CircularlyPolarized ApertureCoupled Microstrip Antennas,"IEEE Trans. on AP, Vol41 No. 2 February 1993.

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