1. Antennas By: Amy Haupt Senior

2. Introduction What is a microstrip antenna? What is a microstrip antenna? Design using Microwave Studio. Design using Microwave Studio. Construction of the microstrip patch. Construction of the microstrip patch. Experimental measurements. Experimental measurements. Comparison of computed vs. experimental measurements. Comparison of computed vs. experimental measurements.

3. Microstrip Antennas An antenna projects radiation into space. An antenna projects radiation into space. A source is used to feed the antenna A source is used to feed the antenna Antennas radiate better in certain directions and not as well in others. Antennas radiate better in certain directions and not as well in others.

4. Design Using Microwave Studio Using the computer program Microwave Studio I was able to optimize the design of a microstrip patch antenna. Using the computer program Microwave Studio I was able to optimize the design of a microstrip patch antenna. Microwave Studio provided the dimensions for all of the parts of the antenna. Microwave Studio provided the dimensions for all of the parts of the antenna.

6. Building My Antenna The substrate for my antenna is a 10.28 cm by 10.45 cm piece of polycarbonate (plastic) The substrate for my antenna is a 10.28 cm by 10.45 cm piece of polycarbonate (plastic)

7. I cut out the polycarbonate using a power saw. I cut out the polycarbonate using a power saw.

8. I then used copper tape on the bottom of the polycarbonate to form the ground plane.

9. I cut a rectangular microstrip patch from copper tape and placed it in the center of the substrate I cut a rectangular microstrip patch from copper tape and placed it in the center of the substrate

10. I drilled a hole in the substrate for the pin feed. I drilled a hole in the substrate for the pin feed.

11. I used silver epoxy to solder the SMA connector to the antenna. The outside conductor was glued to the ground plane. The inner conductor went through the hole and was soldered to the microstrip patch. I used silver epoxy to solder the SMA connector to the antenna. The outside conductor was glued to the ground plane. The inner conductor went through the hole and was soldered to the microstrip patch.

12. Measurements Actual experimental measurement of the reflection coefficient from a Agilent network analyzer. Actual experimental measurement of the reflection coefficient from a Agilent network analyzer.

13. Measurement vs. Calculation The blue line is the measured reflection coefficient. The green line is the predicted reflection coefficient using Microwave Studio. The blue line is the measured reflection coefficient. The green line is the predicted reflection coefficient using Microwave Studio.

14. Conclusion The microstrip patch designed using Microwave Studio matched the experimental measurements. The microstrip patch designed using Microwave Studio matched the experimental measurements.