ISSN (Print) : 2319-5940

ISSN (Online) : 2278-1021

International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering
Vol. 3, Issue 6, June 2014

DUAL STAIRCASE SHAPED MICROSTRIP

PATCH ANTENNA
G.Sreedhar Kumar1, P.C.Praveen Kumar2, B.A.Sarath Manohar Babu3, B.Naresh Babu4
Assistant Professor, Department of ECE, G.PULLAIAH College of Engg & Technology, Kurnool, AP, India 1
Assistant Professor, Department of ECE, G.PULLAIAH College of Engg & Technology, Kurnool, AP, India 2
Associate Professor, Department of ECE, G.PULLAIAH College of Engg & Technology, Kurnool, AP, India 3
Assistant Professor, Department of ECE, G.PULLAIAH College of Engg & Technology, Kurnool, AP, India4

Abstract: The microstrip antenna finds its place in varied and upcoming technologies because it offers low profile, narrow
bandwidth, high gain, and compact antenna element. The biggest disadvantage of microstrip antenna is its narrow
bandwidth and poor impedance matching capacity. To make microstrip antenna compatible with commercial applications,
the bandwidth enhancement and impedance matching of such antennas has to be done. The impedance matching of antenna
depends upon type and position of the feed because impedance matching of source at the feeding point of antenna is very
important for efficient operation of antenna. In order to improve the impedance matching a dual staircase shaped microstrip
patch antenna is used in this paper. The dual staircase patch is fed with a coaxial feed technique. By using IE3D software,
the simulated results gives good impedance matching and the bandwidth obtained is 6% at 3.79GHz frequency. The
proposed antenna which comes under S-Band (2-4GHz) of microwaves can be used in RADAR applications like weather
radar, surface ship radar, and some communications satellites.

Keywords: Microstrip Patch Antenna, Coaxial Probe feed, IE3D, Return Loss.

1. INTRODUCTION
Due to their many attractive features, microstrip antenna has 1.1 Microstrip Antenna
drawn the attention of researchers over the past work. The patch of microstrip antenna thickness is very thin in the
Microstrip antennas are used in an increasing number of range of t<< λ 0(λ 0 is free space wave length) and the
applications, mostly in communications[4]. height h of dielectric material is between 0.003 λ 0 < h<
0.05λ0. For a rectangular path, the length L of the element is
Microstrip antennas were not used popularly in early 1970s usually λ0 /3 < L<λ0/2. There are numerous substrate that
due to the major drawback that these antennas were low in can be used for the design of Microstrip antenna, and their
efficiency, low power, poor polarization purity, poor scan dielectric constants are usually in the range of 2.2<Ɛr< 12,
performance and very narrow frequency bandwidth (less where Ɛr is relative dielectric constant. The substrate whose
than 5%). With the evolution of design techniques on size is thick and dielectric constant is in the range of
microstrip technology, current microstrip antenna can lower end provides better efficiency and bandwidth; but it
achieve a bandwidth of 30% or more. That‟s the reason expenses large element size.
why these antennas are more popular in this modern
world. These are used in high performance and sized
constrained applications. These are mechanically robust
when mounted on rigid surfaces and very versatile in terms
of resonant frequency, polarization, pattern and impedance
match.

Research on microstrip antenna aims to size reduction,

increasing gain, wide bandwidth, multiple functionality and
impedance matching. Significant research work has
been reported on increasing the gain and bandwidth of Fig 1 Rectangular Microstrip patch antenna
patch antennas. Many techniques have been suggested for
achieving wide bandwidth and i m p e d a n c e 1.2 Need and Significance of Research
m a t c h i n g [5-6]. There are numerous and well-known
The input impedance matching of microstrip patch antenna
methods to increase the gain of antennas, including decrease
actually depends on type and location of feed because
of the substrate thickness, feeding techniques [7-8].

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 ISSN (Print) : 2319-5940
ISSN (Online) : 2278-1021
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering
Vol. 3, Issue 6, June 2014

impedance matching of source at the feeding point of

antenna is very important for its efficient operation. But as
mentioned earlier it‟s not a cake walk for a simple
microstrip antenna. To solve this problem we are proposing a
dual staircase shaped microstrip patch antenna.This antenna
is fed with coaxial feed.Also one really worthy advantage of
coaxial probe feed is that it has the flexibility to place the
feed anywhere on the patch in order to match the input
impedance. This gives an easy fabrication and has low
spurious radiation. Finding the best feed position is not an (b)
easy task, now which is made easy and achievable by
IE 3D s oft wa r e. In this research, the proposed model Fig 2.1 Rectangular Microstrip patch antenna with (a) Inset
is used to estimate the parameters: Return loss (S11), Line Feeding, (b) Coaxial Probe Feeding.
resonant frequency (fr), directivity by using IE3D
simulation software with good results. b) Coaxial Cable or Probe Feeding
The Coaxial feed or probe feed is a very common
2. FEEDING METHODS (ANALYSIS TO technique used for feeding microstrip patch antennas. As
IMPROVE IMPEDANCE MATCHING) seen from Figure 2.1 (b), the inner conductor of the
There are several techniques available to feed or transmit coaxial connector extends through the dielectric and is
electromagnetic energy to a microstrip patch antenna which soldered to the radiating patch, while the outer conductor is
effects positively to match the impedance with source. connected to the ground plane. The main advantage of this
But first two are mostly used. type of feeding scheme is that the feed can be placed at
a) Microstrip line feeding. any desired location on the patch in order to match with
b) Coaxial cable or probe feeding. its input impedance. However, its major disadvantage is
c) Aperture Coupled Feed. that it provides narrow bandwidth and is difficult to model
d) Proximity coupling Feed. since a hole has to be drilled in the substrate and the
connector protrudes outside the ground plane, thus not
a) Microstrip Line Feeding making it completely planar for thick substrates ( h >
0.02λo ). Also, for thicker substrates, the increased probe
In this type of feed technique, a conducting strip is length makes the input impedance more inductive, leads to
connected directly to the edge of the Microstrip patch as matching problems. The main aim to use probe feeding is
shown in Figure 2.1 (a). The conducting strip is smaller in enhancing the gain, narrow bandwidth and impedance
width as compared to the patch and this kind of feed matching.
arrangement has the advantage that the feed can be
etched on the same substrate to provide a planar structure c) Aperture Coupled Feed
The purpose of the inset cut in the patch is to match the
impedance of the feed line to the patch without the need for
any additional matching element. This is achieved by
properly controlling the inset position. 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, the surface waves and spurious feed
radiation also goes up, which hampers bandwidth of the
antenna. The feed radiation also leads to undesired cross (a)
polarized radiation.

(b)
Fig 2.3 Rectangular Microstrip patch antenna with (a)
Aperture coupled, (b) Proximity coupled Feeding.
(a)
This feeding technique consist of two substrate separated by

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 ISSN (Print) : 2319-5940
ISSN (Online) : 2278-1021
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering
Vol. 3, Issue 6, June 2014

a ground plane. Microstrip feed line is connected below to operate in this frequency range. The resonant frequency
bottom substrate whereby electromagnetic energy is coupled selected for my design is 3.79 GHz.
with the radiating patch through the aperture slot as shown • Dielectric constant of the substrate (εr): The dielectric
in fig 2.3 (a). Matching is done by adjusting the width of material selected for my design is silicon which has a
feed line and the slot‟s length. dielectric constant of 2.55. A substrate with a high dielectric
constant has been selected since it reduces the dimensions of
d) Proximity Coupled Feed the antenna.

It is non-conducting coupling technique which offers the • Height of dielectric substrate (h): For the microstrip patch
opportunity to reduce the feed line radiation and provides antenna to be used in cellular phones, it is essential that the
very high bandwidth (as high as 13%). while maintaining a antenna is not bulky. Hence, the height of the dielectric
relatively thick substrate for the radiating patch as substrate is selected as 1.59 mm.
shown in fig 2.3 (b).
Hence, the essential parameters for the design are:
3. DESIGN OF DUAL STAIRCASE SHAPED • fo = 3.79 GHz
MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA • εr = 2.55
• h = 1.59 mm
The topological shape of the patch resembles the staircase
shape hence the name “Staircase shaped patch antenna” is The dual staircase shaped microstrip patch antenna has been
given. Significant reduction of antenna size can be realized designed with over all dimensions W (mm) x L (mm) i.e.,
when the staircase shaped patch is used instead of the length of 30mm and width of 20mm.
conventional rectangular microstrip patch antenna. The slot
length and width are important parameters in controlling 3.2 FEEDING:
performance of the staircase shaped patch antenna. The slot
In this paper coaxial probe feed is used. Coaxial-line feed,
length and width of the antenna should be carefully selected
to get the optimized performance of the staircase shaped where the inner conductor of the coax is attached to the
patch antenna. radiation patch while the outer conductor is connected to the
ground plane, are widely used. The coaxial probe feed is
The following figure shows the structure of dual staircase easy to fabricate and match, and it has low spurious
shaped microstrip patch antenna. radiatoion. However it has narrow bandwidth and somewhat
difficult to model for thick substrates(h>0.02----)[1]

4. RESULTS
The antenna is designed by using IE3D software of Zeland
Software Inc. The simulated results are shown in the
following figures.

Fig3.1Dual staircase shaped patch antenna

3.1 Design Specifications:

The three essential parameters for the design of a rectangular

Microstrip Patch Antenna are[3]:

• Frequency of operation (fo): The resonant frequency of the

antenna must be selected appropriately. The Mobile
Communication Systems uses the frequency range from
1800-5600 MHz. Hence the antenna designed must be able
Fig4.1 Designed Patch

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 ISSN (Print) : 2319-5940
ISSN (Online) : 2278-1021
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering
Vol. 3, Issue 6, June 2014

Fig4.2 Current Distribution Fig4.5 Radiation Pattern (3D)

Fig4.3 Return Loss (for 3-4GHz) Fig4.6 2D Pattern

5. CONCLUSION
Hence a dual staircase shaped patch antenna is designed by
using IE3D software for communications. The proposed S-
Band patch antenna has a wide range of RADAR and
Communication applications .It consists of a staircase patch
on a dielectric substrate. Impedance, Gain, Bandwidth and
radiation patterns have been computed over a frequency at
3.79GHz. From the data analysis, it has been pointed out that
the patch designed by IE3D software gives good result in
impedance matching and the bandwidth (6%). As
demonstrated by the design, a dual staircase shaped patch
antenna at 3.79GHz has been successfully simulated using
IE3D. These results are better when we compare with the
some existing different shapes of microstrip patch antennas.
The future work of this paper is to extend the design for
different shapes for good results in all parameters like
Fig4.4 VSWR Measurement bandwidth, gain, efficiency etc.

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 ISSN (Print) : 2319-5940
ISSN (Online) : 2278-1021
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering
Vol. 3, Issue 6, June 2014

REFERENCES published 2 research papers in international and national

[1] D. R. Jahagirdar and R D. Stewart, “Non-Leaky Conductor Backed conferences, guided several B.Tech and M.Tech projects.
Coplanar Wave Guide-Fed Rectangular Microstrip Patch
Antenna”, IEEE Microwave and Guided-Wave Letters, 8, 3, March
1998, pp. 115-117.
B.A.Sarath Manohar Babu received his
[2] N. Herscovici, “New considerations in the design of microstrip M-tech. Degree in Digital Electronics &
antennas”, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, AP- Communication Systems from JNTU
46, June 6, 1998, pp. 807-812. Anantapur, A.P, India in 2009. He has
[3] C. A. Balanis, “ Antenna Theory, Analysis and Design”, JOHN
WILEY & SONS, INC, New York 1997.
10 years of teaching experience in
[4] R. Garg, P. Bhartia, I. Bahl, A. Ittipiboon, “Microstrip Antenna Design various engineering colleges in A.P. He is
Handbook”, ARTECH HOUSE, Boston 2001. now working as Associate professor in electronics
[5] S. Silver, “Microwave Antenna Theory and Design”, McGRAW-HILL department at G.Pullaiah college of Engineering &
BOOK COMPANY, INC, New York 1949.
[6] D. M. Pozar and D. H. Schaubert, Microstrip Antennas: The Analysis
Technology, Kurnool, A. P INDIA. His Ar ea of
and Design of Microstrip Antennas and Arrays, IEEE Press, 1995. interest is wireless sensor networks. He has published 5
[7] K. F. Lee, Ed., Advances in Microstrip and Printed Antennas, John research Papers in international and National conferences,
Wiley, 1997. guided several B-tech projects, M-tech projects & thesis.
[8] F. E. Gardiol, “Broadband Patch Antennas,” Artech House.
[9] D. R. Jackson and J. T. Williams, “A comparison of CAD models for
radiation from rectangular microstrip patches,” Intl. Journal of B.Naresh Babu received his M.Tech in
Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Computer Aided Design, Vol. 1, Embedded Systems from JNTU Kakinada,
No. 2, pp. 236-248, April 1991. 63 AP. He has 4 years of teaching experience in
[10] D. R. Jackson, S. A. Long, J. T. Williams, and V. B. Davis,
“Computer aided design of rectangular microstrip antennas”, Ch. 5 of
various engineering colleges. He is now
Advances in Microstrip and Printed Antennas, K. F. Lee, Editor, John working as Asst. Professor in G.Pullaiah
Wiley, 1997. College of Engineering & Technology,
[11] J.-F. Zürcher and F. E. Gardiol, Broadband Patch Antennas, Artech Kurnool, AP, India. His area of interest is Antennas and
House, 1995.
[12] H. Pues and A Van de Capelle, “Accurate transmission-line model for
Microwaves. He has published 2 research papers in
the rectangular microstrip antenna,” Proc. IEE, vol. 131, pt. H, no. 6, international and national conferences, guided several
pp. 334-340, Dec. 1984. B.Tech and M.Tech projects.
[13] D. M. Pozar, “Input impedance and mutual coupling of rectangular
microstrip antennas,” IEEE Trans. Antennas and Propagation, vol.
AP-30, pp. 1191-1196, Nov. 1982.
[14] C. J. Prior and P. S. Hall, “Microstrip disk antenna with short-circuited
annular ring,” Electronics Letters, Vol. 21, pp. 719-721, 1985.
[15] Y.-X. Guo, C-L. Mak, K-M Luk, and K.-F. Lee, “Analysis and design
of Lprobe proximity fed patch antennas,” IEEE Trans. Antennas and
Propagation, Vol. AP-49, pp. 145-149, Feb. 2001.

BIOGRAPHIES
G . S r e e d h a r K u m a r r e ceived his M-
tech. Degree in Digital Syst em s &
Computer Electronics from JNTU
Anantapur, A.P, India in 2009. He has 8
years of teaching experience. He is now
working as Assistant Professor in
Electronics & Communication department at G.Pullaiah
College of Engineering & Technology, Kurnool, A.P,
India. His area of interest is A n t e n n a s a n d
M i c r o w a v e s . He has published 1 research paper
in international and national conferences, guided several
B-tech and M-tech projects.

P.C. Praveen Kumar, pursuing his Ph.D at

GITAM University, Hyderabad. He
received his M.Tech in Digital Electronics
& Communication Systems from JNTU
Hyderabad, AP. He has 6 years of teaching
experience in various engineering colleges.
He is now working as Asst. Professor in G.Pullaiah
College of Engineering & Technology, Kurnool, AP, India.
His area of interest is Antennas and Microwaves. He has

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