Wideband Aperture Coupled Patch Array Antennas - High Gain, Low Side Lobe Design

Abstract

The study and design of a wideband aperture coupled microstrip patch array is presented. The proposed design considers the 2.4 to 3 GHz frequency range but may be adapted to other frequencies. A 16 element planar array of the size of about 400 mm by 400 mm by 12.5 mm provides measured gain from 15.4 to 16.8 dBi and Side-Lobe Level (SLL) from 15.3 to 20.7 dB without a reflector within the 2.4 to 3GHz frequency range. With a reflector significant increase in F/B is obtained but at the expense of higher SLL.