International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics

Volume 118 No. 18 2018, 25-33

ISSN: 1311-8080 (printed version); ISSN: 1314-3395 (on-line version)
url: http://www.ijpam.eu
Special Issue
ijpam.eu

Microstrip Patch Antenna for Wireless LAN

B. Karthik * ,S.P.Vijayaragavan2 and M.Sriram3

1 Assistant Professor, ECE Department, BIST, BIHER , Bharath University, No:173, Agaram Road,
Selaiyur, Chennai-73; karthik.ece@bharathuniv.ac.in

2 Assistant Professor, EEE Department, BIST, BIHER , Bharath University, No:173, Agaram Road,
Selaiyur, Chennai-73; vijayaragavan.eee@bharathuniv.ac.in

3 Assistant Professor, CSE Department, BIST, BIHER , Bharath University, No:173, Agaram Road,
Selaiyur, Chennai-73; msr1sriram@gmail.com

Abstract—This paper presents design, simulation and fabrication
of microstrip patch antennas for WLAN applications. Microstrip
patch antenna for WLAN frequency (2.4GHz) is designed and
simulated for microstrip line and coaxial feed. The various
feeding techniques used are microstrip line feed, inset fed, coaxial
feed, aperture coupled feed, and proximity coupled feed. We have
chosen microstrip line feed and co-axial feed due to the advantage
that it can be easily fabricated. The simulation of microstrip
antenna is carried out using ADS2009. The return loss,
beamwidth and gain for microstrip line feed -12.5dB, 110o and 6dB
respectively. The return loss, beamwidth and gain for co- axial fed
patch antenna are -29dB, 150o and 4dB respectively. Both the
antennas were fabricated using FR4 of dielectric constant 4.6 and
thickness 1.6mm. The co-axial feed antenna resonated at 2.4GHz
and Microstrip line fed antenna resonated at 2.404GHz.
Keywords—Microstrip patch antenna, Rectangular patch,
Feeding techniques and WLAN.
I. INTRODUCTION
In the last few years the wireless local area network
(WLAN) has been used in a variety of applications for which
new and more restrictive requirements in the design of the
receiving antenna have been introduced. In particular, for high
precision WLAN applications, WLAN-based spacecraft
attitude determination, a receiving antenna with superior
rejection to multipath signals is required[1-5]. Multipath
arises when the WLAN transmitted signal takes different
paths to the receiving antenna and, being the signals from
these paths added with different phases this results in a
significant amplitude and phase distortion.
A Wireless LAN is ideal for certain work environments and
can boost work efficiency levels in most cases. Here's what
you'll require to go wireless. Cabling is the least expensive
building block of your network, yet it is highly significant for
performance and reliability. Bad cabling can result in frequent
network breakdowns. Sometimes there's a situation where
laying wires or physically connecting network nodes is
impractical. Here are three instances when an organization
would require a wireless LAN[6-9]. A marketing person
needs anytime, anywhere communications capability in
order to access e-mail and Internet-based applications, from
any room in the office. A corporate executive needs network
access for
his notebook as he moves from his desk to the conference
room to the boss's cabin. Desktops need to be instantly
connected to the LAN. In all three cases, network connectivity
can be established instantly using WLAN technology[10-18].
WLAN, a complement to wired LAN, uses radio
frequencies to transmit and receive data over the air. WLAN
is represented by the 802.11 standard that forms an efficient
data communications system. There are different types of
antennas used in Wireless LAN systems which include Omni
directional, Yagi UDA, Parabolic or dish and Patch antennas.
Of all these, taking the cost and size of the antenna into
consideration Microstrip Patch antennas serve the best
purpose.
In this project, we have deigned microstrip patch antenna
for 2.4GHz. since most of the papers concentrated on
designing the WLAN antenna for dual frequency here we
have focused on design of microstrip patch antenna for
Wireless LAN users and made a comparison using different
feeding techniques and fabricated two microstrip patch
antenna using two different feeding and tested the results[19-
23].
II. MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA
Microstrip Patch antenna consists of a radiating patch on
one side of a dielectric substrate which has a ground plane on
the other side as shown in fig 1. The patch is generally made
of conducting material such as copper or gold and can take
any possible shape. The radiating patch and the feed lines are
usually photo etched on the dielectric substrate [24].
In order to simplify analysis and performance prediction,
the patch is generally square, rectangular, circular, triangular,
and elliptical or some other common shapes. For a rectangular
patch, the length L of the patch is usually 0.3333λ0 < L <
0.5λ0, where λ0 is the free-space wavelength. The patch is
selected to be very thin such that t<< λ0 (where t is the patch
thickness). The height h of the dielectric substrate is usually
0.003λ0 ≤ h ≤ 0.05λ0. The dielectric constant of the substrate
(εr) is typically in the range 2.2 ≤ εr ≤ 12.

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International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics
Fig 1. Microstrip patch antenna
Microstrip patch antenna radiate primarily because of the
fringing fields between the patch edge and the ground plane.
For good antenna performance, a thick dielectric substrate
having a low dielectric constant is desirable since this
provides better efficiency, larger bandwidth and better
radiation[25-29]. However, such a configuration leads to a
larger antenna size. In order to design a compact Microstrip
patch antenna, higher dielectric constants must be used
which are less efficient and result in narrower bandwidth.
Hence a compromise must be reached between antenna
dimensions and antenna performance.
III. FEEDING TECHNIQUES
Microstrip patch antennas can be fed by a variety of
methods. These methods can be classified into two categories
contacting and non-contacting. On the contacting method, the
RF power is fed directly to the radiating patch using a
connecting element such as a microstrip line. In the non
contacting scheme, electromagnetic field coupling is done to
transfer power between the microstrip line and the radiating
patch. The four most popular feed techniques used are the
microstrip line, coaxial probe (both contacting schemes),
aperture coupling and proximity coupling (both non
contacting schemes).
A. Microstrip Line feed
In this type of feeding technique, a conducting strip fabricate due to multiple layers, which also increases the
connected directly to the edge of the microstrip patch. The antenna thickness. This feeding scheme also provides narrow
conducting strip is smaller in width as compared to the path bandwidth.
and this kind of feed arrangement has the advantage that the
feed can be on the same substrate to provide a planar structure.
The purpose of the inset cut in the patch is to match the
impedance of the reed line to the path without the need for
any additional matching element. This is achieved by properly
controlling the inset position[30]. Hence this is an easy
feeding scheme, since it provides ease of fabrication and
simplicity in modeling as well as impedance matching.
However as the thickness of the dielectric substrate being
used, increases,
26
Special Issue
surface waves and spurious feed radiation also increases,
which hampers the bandwidth of the antenna. The feed
radiation also leads to undesired cross polarized radiation.
B. coaxial feed
The Coaxial feed or probe feed is a very common
technique used for feeding Microstrip patch antennas. The
inner conductor of the coaxial connector extends through the
dielectric and is soldered to the radiating patch, while the
outer conductor is connected to the ground plane [11].
The main advantage of this type of feeding scheme is that the
feed can be placed at any desired location inside the patch in
order to match with its input impedance. This feed method is
easy to fabricate and has low spurious radiation. However, its
major disadvantage is that it provides narrow bandwidth and is
difficult to model slice a hole has to be drilled in the substrate
and the connector protrudes outside the ground plane, thus not
making it completely planar for thick substrates (h>0.02 λ0).
Also, for thicker substrates, the increased probe length makes
the input impedance more inductive, leading to matching
problems. It is seen above that for a thick dielectric substrate,
which provides broad bandwidth, the microstrip line feed and
the coaxial feed suffer from numerous disadvantages. The non-
contacting feed techniques which have been discussed below,
solve these problems.
C. Aperture Coupled Feed
In this type of feed technique, the radiating
patch and the microstrip feed line are separated by the ground
plane. Coupling between the patch and the feed line is made
through a slot or an aperture in the ground plane. The
coupling aperture is usually centered under the patch, leading
to lower cross-polarization due to symmetry of the
configuration. The amount of coupling from the feed line to
the patch is determined by the shape, size and location of the
aperture. Since the ground plane separates the patch and the
feed line, spurious radiation is minimized[31]. Generally,
high dielectric material is used for the bottom substrate and a
thick. Low dielectric constant material is used for the top
substrate to optimize radiation from the patch. The major
disadvantage of this feed technique is that it is difficult to
D. Proximity Coupled feed
This type of feeding technique is also called as the
electromagnetic coupling scheme, two dielectric substrates are
used such that the feed line is between the two substrates and
the radiating patch is on top of the upper substrate[32]. The
main advantage of this feed technique is that it eliminates
spurious feed radiation and provides very high bandwidth (as
high as
13%), due to overall increase in the thickness of the microstrip
International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Special Issue

patch antenna. This scheme also provides choices between

two different dielectric media. One for patch and another for
the feed line to optimize the individual performances[33].

Matching can be achieved by controlling the length of the

feed line and the width-to-line ratio of the patch. The major The effective patch length Le is written as
disadvantage of this feed scheme is that it is difficult to [3]
fabricate because of the two dielectric layers which need
proper alignment. Also, there is an increase in the overall
thickness of the antenna.
Based on above equations width and length was calculated.
IV. DESIGN PROCEDURE Width of 37.35mm, effective dielectric constant of 4.2629,
Incremental length of 0.7340, effective length 30.27mm and
Substrate choice for a rectangular microstrip patch antenna length of Microstrip patch is 28.8mm.
is FR4, thickness of the substrate 1.6mm, dielectric constant
value is εr =4.6,operating frequency 2.4 GHz,
V. SIMULATED RESULTS
Input impedance 50Ω, polarization of microsrip patch
antenna linear/circular polarization and tan ∂ =0.019. The Simulation was performed using Advanced Design System
width is critical in terms of power efficiency, antenna tool. FR4 based substrate with a size of 37 mm x28 mm and
impedance and bandwidth. It is largely dependent on the W and L applied for different feeding techniques[34].
operating frequency and the substrate dielectric constant.

The patch width (W) has a minor effect on the resonant
frequency (fr ), and it is calculated using the following formula
is given by [3]
A. Microstrip patch antenna Layout
Fig.2 to Fig.5 shows ADS layout of inset fed, line fed,
coaxial, proximity feeding techniques. Simulated results
were shown in table1.

where c is the speed of light in free space and εr is the relative

permittivity of the fabric material under test. The microstrip
patch lies between air and the dielectric material, and thus, the
EM wave sees an effective permittivity (ε reff ) is given by [3]

The patch length (L) determines the resonant frequency and is

a critical parameter in design because of the inherent narrow
bandwidth of the patch. The design value for L is given by [3]
Fig.2 Inset fed Microstrip patch antenna

where εreff is the effective permittivity of the material under

test. The additional line length on L both ends of the
patch length, due to the effect of fringing fields, is given by [3]

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International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Special Issue

B. Return Loss

Fig.6 shows that simulated return loss of Inset fed

Microstrip patch antenna. Operating frequency 2.409 GHz
and return loss -16.037dB.Fig.7 shows Microstrip fed line
return loss of -12.574dB and operating at 2.404GHz.Fig.8
and Fig.9 shows return loss graph of coaxial, proximity
coupled patch antennas[35-36]. It’s return loss -29.129dB,-
5.17dB and operating frequency 2.4GHz, 22.417 GHz
respectively. Coaxial fed gave have lower return loss and
exact operating frequencies 2.4GHz.

m1 freq=2.409GHz
dB(inset_mom_a..S(1,1))=-16.037
Min
S11
0
Fig.1 Microstrip line fed patch antenna
-5

Mag. [dB]
-10

-15 m1

-20
2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0
Frequency

Fig.6 Inset fed Microstrip patch antenna

m1 freq=2.404GHz
dB(fed3_mom_a..S(1,1))=-12.574
Min
S11
0
-2
Fig.4 Coaxial feed Microstrip patch antenna -4
Mag. [dB]

-6
-8
-10
-12 m1
-14
2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0
Frequency

Fig.7 Microstrip line fed patch antenna

Fig.5 Proximity coupled Microstrip patch antenna

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International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Special Issue

m1 freq=2.400GHz
dB(coaxial1_mom_a..S(1,1))=-29.129
Min
S11
0

-10
Mag. [dB]

-20

m1
-30
2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0
Frequency

Fig.8 Coaxial fed Microstrip patch antenna

m1
freq= 2.417GHz
dB(proxy1_mom..S(1,1))=-5.170

S11
0 Fig.11 Microstrip line fed patch antenna
-1

-2
Mag. [dB]

-3
-4
m1
-5
-6
2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0
Frequency

Fig.9 Proximity coupled Microstrip patch antenna

C. Radiation pattern

Fig.10 shows that radiation pattern of Inset fed Microstrip

patch antenna. Fig.11 shows Microstrip fed line radiation
pattern. Fig.12 and Fig.13 shows radiation pattern of
Fig.12 Coaxial fed Microstrip patch antenna
coaxial, proximity coupled patch antennas. Radiated power
values are shown in table1.

Fig.13 Proximity coupled Microstrip patch antenna

Fig.10 Inset fed Microstrip patch antenna

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International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics Special Issue

TABLE I PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF FEEDING TECHNIQUES compact microcontroller based power

conditioned distributed photo voltaic system,
specificatio Inset Fed Microstrip Coaxial Proximity International Journal of Pure and Applied
ns -fed feed Coupled
Feed Mathematics, V-116, I-13 Special Issue, PP-
165-169, 2017
Frequency 2.409 2.2404 2.400 2.417 [6]. Golden RenjithNimal R.J., Hussain J.H., Stress
(GHz) analysis of gear tooth using metal,
Gain 3.50542 6.15435 4.03081 6.72913 International Journal of Pure and Applied
(dB)
Directivity 6.35787 6.23995 6.4184 6.7122
Mathematics, V-116, I-17 Special Issue, PP-
317-322, 2017
Beam 90 110 150 130
[7]. Hameed Hussain J., Hariharan R.,
width in Development of temperature-time and
(Degree)
pressure-time diagrams for diffusion bonding
Return loss -16.037 -12.574 -29.129 -5.170
(dB) ti-aa7075 dissimilar materials, International
Efficiency 52 60 80.0 43 Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, V-
(%) 116, I-14 Special Issue, PP-493-499, 2017
Radiated 0.00840638 0.0538518 0.005441 0.0059567 [8]. Udayakumar R., Khanaa V., Saravanan T.,
power Saritha G., Cross layer optimization for
(Watts)
Effective 2.90685 2.98686 2.86662 2.67911 wireless network (WIMAX), Middle - East
angle Journal of Scientific Research, V-16, I-12, PP-
(Watts/Ster
adian) 1786-1789, 2013
[9]. Khanaa V., Thooyamani K.P., Udayakumar R.,
Cognitive radio based network for ISM band
VI. CONCLUSIONS
real time embedded system, Middle - East
The simulated results shows that performance of Microstrip
feeding techniques and realized antennas with compact size and Journal of Scientific Research, V-16, I-12, PP-
relatively good radiation characteristics has a wide beam width low 1798-1800, 2013
return loss. Based simulated results in table.1, coaxial fed and
Microstrip line fed was fabricated for WLAN. [10]. Khanaa V., Mohanta K., Saravanan T.,
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