LECTURE 21: MICROSTRIP ANTENNAS PART II

(Transmission-line model. Design procedure for a rectangular patch. Cavity

model for a rectangular patch.)
1. Transmission Line Model The Rectangular Patch
The TL model is the simplest of all, representing the rectangular patch as
a parallel-plate transmission line connecting two radiating slots (apertures),
each of width W and height h. In the figure below, z is the direction of
propagation of the transmission line.

Slot #2
h
L
x

z
y

Slot #1
W

The TL model is not accurate and lacks versatility. However, it gives a

relatively good physical insight into the nature of the patch antenna and the
field distribution for all TM00n modes.
The slots represent very high-impedance terminations from both sides of
the transmission line (almost an open circuit). Thus, we expect this structure
to have highly resonant characteristics depending crucially on its length L
along z. The resonant length of the patch, however, is not exactly equal to the
physical length due to the fringing effect. The fringing effect makes the
effective electrical length of the patch longer than its physical length,
Nikolova 2014

Leff > L . Thus, the resonance condition ( n ) Leff = n / 2 , n = 1, 2, ,

depends on Leff , not L. A sketch of the E-field distribution for the first
(dominant) resonant mode, n = 1 , is shown in the figure below.

Leff > L

patch (side view)

E001

ground
A. Computing the effective patch length

L
= 0.412
h

(e r

eff

(e r

eff

+ 0.3) + 0.264
h
.
W

0.258 ) + 0.8
h

(21.1)

For the computation of e reff , see previous Lecture. The effective length is

Leff = L + 2L .
L

Nikolova 2014

(21.2)

B. Resonant frequency of the dominant TM001 mode

v
c
c
f r(001) =
Leff =0 = (001) =
2 2f
2 e reff f (001)
2 Leff e reff

(21.3)

The resonant frequency of a patch depends strongly on L, therefore, the

exact calculation of Leff is necessary to predict the antenna resonance:

f r(001) =

2 e reff

c
.
( L + 2L )

(21.4)

The field of the TM001 mode does not depend on the x and y coordinates but it
strongly depends on the z coordinate, along which a standing wave is formed.
The figure below shows the vertical E-field distribution along z when the
patch is in resonance.

1

Ex cos
z
L

eff

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2

0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1

Nikolova 2014

z = Leff / 2

z = Leff

C. The patch width W

=
W

c
1
2
2
=
2 fr
2 f r 0 0
r +1
r +1

(21.5)

Expression (21.5) makes the width W equal to about half a wavelength. It

leads to good radiation efficiencies and acceptable dimensions. Thus, the
patch can be viewed as a continuous planar source consisting of infinite
number of infinitesimally thin half-wavelength dipoles.
D. Equivalent circuit of the patch
The dominant TM001 mode has a uniform field distribution along the yaxis at the slots formed at the front and end edges of the patch. The
equivalent conductance G is obtained from the theory of uniform apertures
while B is related to the fringe capacitance:

W
1 2 h
G=
1
1200 24 0

h
1
< ,
, for
0 10

(21.6)

2
W
h
1
2 h
< .
B=
1 0.636ln
, for

120lll
10
0
0
0

(21.7)

The limitation (h / 0 ) < 0.1 is necessary since a uniform field distribution

along the x-axis is assumed. The patch has two radiating slots (see the figure
below).

2
t#

slo

t#
o
sl

E(001)

Nikolova 2014

The equivalent circuit of a slot is constructed as a parallel R-C circuit, using

the values computed by (21.6) and (21.7):

G = 1 / R represents the radiation loss, while B = jC is the equivalent

susceptance, which represents the capacitance of the slot.
More accurate values for the conductance G can be obtained through the
cavity model:
G=

I
,
2
120

(21.8)

where
2

k0W

cos
sin
2
sin 3 d =2 + cos X + X S ( X ) + sin X , (21.9)
I =
i
cos

and X = k0W, k0 = 0 0 . Si denotes the sine integral, Si ( x) =

x

0 (sin y) / ydy .
The equivalent circuit representing the whole patch in the TM001 mode
includes the two radiating slots as parallel R-C circuits and the patch
connecting them as a transmission line, the characteristics of which are
computed in the same way as those of a microstrip line.

Z c , g = 0e 0e reff

Leff g / 2
Nikolova 2014

Here, Z c is the characteristic impedance of the line, and g is its phase

constant. When the losses are not neglected, we must include also the
attenuation constant (see Lecture 20). For each slot, G represents the
radiation loss and B = C represents the capacitance associated with the
fringe effect.
E. Resonant input resistance
When the patch is resonant, the susceptances of both slots cancel out at
the feed point regardless of the position of the feed along the patch. Thus, the
input admittance is always purely real. This real value, however, strongly
depends on the feed position along z. This is easily shown through the Smith
chart for the admittance transformation through a transmission line.
At the feed point, the impedance of each slot is transformed by the
respective transmission line representing a portion of the patch:
Leff g / 2

Yin

L1

L2

Y1 Y2

Yin= Y1 + Y2

(21.10)

The admittance transformation is given by

YL + jYc tan( g L)
Yin Yc
Z c1
=
=
L L = , Yc
Y=
g
Yc + jYL tan( g L)

(21.11)

if the line is loss-free. Below, the Smith charts illustrate the slot-impedance
transformations and their addition, which produces a real normalized
admittance, in three cases: (1) the patch is fed at one edge ( L1 = 0 , L2 = L ),
(2) the patch is fed at the center ( L=
L=
L / 2 ), and (3) the patch is fed at a
1
2
distance (feed inset) z0 = 0.165 .
Nikolova 2014

L2= L 0.46

Y2

sot #1 Y
1

sot #2

Y2

ine to sot #2

L 0.46
Yin =Y1 +Y2 =20.09 =0.18

feed-point at the edge of cavity

Nikolova 2014

slot #1 Y1

slot #2 Y
2

L 0.46l

L=1 L=
2 L / 2 0.23l
Yin =Y1+Y2 =215 =30

Y2

Y1

feed-point at the middle of cavity

Nikolova 2014

slot #1 Y1

slot #2 Y
2

L 0.46l

Yin =Y1+Y2 =20.5 =1

line to slot #2

line to slot #1

Y2

Y1

L2 =L z0 (0.46 0.165)ll
=0.315

L=1 z0 0.165l
feedpoint at inset z 0

Nikolova 2014

The edge feed and the inset feed are illustrated below.

slot #2

slot #1

z0

Yin

Yin

The two slots are separated by an electrical distance of 180 . However,

because of the fringe effect the physical length L of slightly less than /2.
The reduction of the length is not much. Typically, it is 0.48 L 0.49.
Ideally, the resonant input impedance of the patch for the dominant TM001
mode is entirely resistive and equal to half the transformed resistance of each
slot:

Z=
in

1
1
=
= Rin .
Yin 2G1

(21.12)

In reality, there is some mutual influence between the two slots, described by
a mutual conductance and it should be included for more accurate
calculations:

Rin =

1
,
2(G1 G12 )

(21.13)

where the + sign relates to the odd modes, while the sign relates to the
even modes. Normally, G12 G1 .
For most patch antennas fed at the edge, Rin is greater than the
characteristic impedance Zc of the microstrip feed line (typically Zc = 50 to
75 ). That is why, the inset-feed technique is widely used to achieve
impedance match.
Nikolova 2014

10

The figure below illustrates the normalized input impedance of a 1-D

(along the y axis) loss-free open-ended transmission-line, the behavior of
which is very close to that of the dominant mode of the patch.

Fig 14.14, pp 735, C. Balanis

Using modal expansion, the input resistance for the inset-feed at z = z0 is

given approximately by

1
2 G12 + B12 2 B1 2
=
Rin
cos z0 +
sin z0 sin
z0 . (21.14)
2
2 (G1 G12 )
L
Y
L
Y
L

c
Here, G1 and B1 are calculated using (21.6) and (21.7). For most feeding
microstrips, G1 / Yc 1 and B1 / Yc 1 . Then,

Rin
=

1


cos 2 y0 Rin( z =0 ) cos 2 y0 .
=
2 ( G1 G12 )
L
L

(21.15)

Notice that the inset feeding technique for impedance match of the microstrip
antennas is conceptually analogous to the off-center or asymmetrical feeding
techniques for dipoles. In both cases, a position is sought along a resonant
structure, where the current magnitude has the desired value.
Nikolova 2014

11

2. Designing a Rectangular Patch Using the Transmission Line Model

Input data: er, h, fr
1) Calculate W using (21.5).
2) Calculate ereff using (21.5) and equation (6) from Lecture 20.
3) Calculate the extension L due to the fringing effect using (21.1).
4) Calculate the actual (physical) length of the patch using

L=

0
=
2L or L
2

1
2 f r e reff

0e 0

2L .

(21.16)

5) Calculate radiating slot admittance using (21.6) and (21.7).

6) Calculate resonant input resistance at patch edge using (21.12) or
(21.13) with G1 = G from (21.6).
7) If Rin calculated in step 6 is too large, calculate the inset distance z0
using (21.14) or (21.15).
3. Cavity Model for the Rectangular Patch
The TL model is very limited in its description of the real processes
x
taking place when a patch is excited. It takes into account only the TM 00
n
modes where the energy propagates only in the longitudinal z direction. The
field distribution along the x and y axes is assumed uniform. It is true that the
x
dominant TM 001
is prevalent but the performance of the patch is also
affected by higher-order modes.
The cavity model is a more general model of the patch which imposes
open-end conditions at the side edges of the patch. It represents the patch as a
dielectric-loaded cavity with:
- electrical walls (above and below), and
- magnetic walls (around the perimeter of the patch.
The magnetic wall is a wall at which
0 (the H -field is purely normal)
n H =
n E =
0 (the E-field is purely tangential)
It is analogous to the open end termination in the theory of transmission lines.
If we treat the microstrip antenna only as a cavity, we can not represent
Nikolova 2014

12

radiation because an ideal loss-free cavity does not radiate and its input
impedance is purely reactive. To account for the radiation, a loss mechanism
is introduced. This is done by introducing an effective loss tangent, eff.
The thickness of the substrate is very small. The waves generated and
propagating beneath the patch undergo considerable reflection at the edges of
the patch. Only a very small fraction of them is being radiated. Thus, the
antenna is quite inefficient. The cavity model assumes that the E field is
purely tangential to the slots formed between the ground plane and the patch
edges (magnetic walls). Moreover, it considers only TM x modes, i.e., modes
with no Hx component. These assumptions are, basically, very much true.

electric wall

magnetic wall
x

z
y

magnetic wall
W
The TMx modes are fully described by a single scalar function Ax the xcomponent of the magnetic vector potential:

A = Ax x .

(21.17)

In a homogeneous source-free medium, Ax satisfies the wave equation:

2 Ax + k 2 Ax =
0.

(21.18)

For regular shapes (like the rectangular cavity), it is advantageous to use the
separation of variables:

2 Ax 2 Ax 2 Ax
0
+
+
+ k 2 Ax =
2
2
2
x
y
z
Ax = X ( x)Y ( y ) Z ( z )
Nikolova 2014

(21.19)
(21.20)
13

2 X
2Y
2Z
YZ 2 + XZ 2 + XY 2 =
k 2 XYZ
x
x
x
1 2 X 1 2Y 1 2 Z
+
+
=
k 2
2
2
2
X x
Y y
Z z
d2X
d 2Y
d 2Z
2
2
2=
+
k
X
=
0,
+
k
Y
=
0,
+
k
Z 0
x
y
z
dx 2
dy 2
dz 2

(21.21)
(21.22)

The eigenvalue equation is

k x2 + k y2 + k z2 =
k2.

(21.23)

The solutions of (21.22) are harmonic functions:

=
X ( x)

Anc cos(k xn x) + Ans sin(k xn x) ,

n

=
Y ( y)

Bnc cos(k yn y) + Bns sin(k yn y) ,

(21.24)

Z ( z)
=

Cnc cos(k zn z ) + Cns sin(k zn z ) .

n

When the functions in (21.24) are substituted in (21.20), they give the
general solution of (21.18). The particular solution of (21.18) depends on the
boundary conditions.
In our case, there are electric walls at x = 0 and x = h . There, the
tangential E-field components must vanish, i.e., E=
0 x =0,h . Having in
E=
y
z
mind that

Ex=

2 Ax
2 A , E =
+
k
x
y

j x 2

2 Ax

, Ez =
j xy
1

2 Az
,(21.25)
j xz
1

we set Ax at the top and bottom walls as

Ax
x

= 0.

(21.26)

x = 0, h

At all side walls, we set a vanishing normal derivative for Ax :

Ax
Ax
0,=
0.
=
z z =0, L
y y =0,W
Nikolova 2014

(21.27)
14

This ensures vanishing H x and H y at z = 0 and z = L , as well as vanishing

H x and H z at y = 0 and y = W (magnetic walls), as follows from the
relation between the H-field and Ax ,

=
H x 0,=
Hy

1 Ax
z

1 Ax

=
H
,
x

(21.28)

It is now obvious that the solution must appear in terms of the functions

=
X ( x)

Anc cos(k xn x), k xn

=

n ,
h

=
Y ( y)

Bnc cos(k yn y ), k yn
=

=
Z ( z)

(21.29)

Cnc cos(k zn z ), k zn n .
=
L
n

The spectrum of the eigenmodes in the cavity is discrete. The frequencies of

those modes (the resonant frequencies) can be calculated from (21.23) as

mppp
n p
( mnp ) 2
+
+
=

m ,
r

h
W
L

f r( mnp )
=

1
2pm

mppp
n p

+
+
.
h
W
L

(21.30)

(21.31)

The mode with the lowest resonant frequency is the dominant mode. Since
x
usually L > W, the lowest-frequency mode is the TM 001
mode, for which

=
f r(001)

c
.
=
L 2L r
2

(21.32)

x
The dominant TM 001
mode is exactly the mode considered by the
transmission-line model (see previous sections). The field distribution of
some low-order modes is given in the following figure.

Nikolova 2014

15

Fig. 14.13, pp. 741, C.B.

The general solution for the Ax( mnp ) [see (21.20) and (21.24)] is

ppp

Ax( mnp ) = Axc cos m x Bxc cos n y C xc cos p z ,

h
W
L

(21.33)

or

ppp

Ax( mnp ) =
Amnp cos m x cos n y cos p
h
L
W

z.

(21.34)

The respective field solution for the (m,n,p) mode is

(k 2 k x2 )
Ex =
j
Amnp cos(k x x) cos(k y y ) cos(k z z ) ,

(21.35)

kxk y
j
Ey =
Amnp sin(k x x) sin(k y y ) cos(k z z ) ,

(21.36)

Nikolova 2014

16

k k
j x z Amnp sin(k x x) cos(k y y ) sin(k z z ) ,
Ez =

(21.37)

Hx = 0,

(21.38)

k
z Amnp cos(k x x) cos(k y y ) sin(k z z ) ,
Hy =

(21.39)

Hz =

ky

Amnp cos(k x x) sin(k y y ) cos(k z z ) .

(21.40)

x mode,
For the dominant TM 001

Ex =
Ez =
0, (21.41)
j (k 2 2 / h 2 ) / ( ) A001 cos( z / L), E y =

(21.42)
Hy =
( / L) A001 sin( z / L), H x =
Hz =
0.
4. Cavity Model for the Radiated Field of a Rectangular Patch
The microstrip patch is represented by the cavity model reasonably well
assuming that the material of the substrate is truncated and does not extend
beyond the edges of the patch. The four side walls (the magnetic walls)
represent four narrow apertures (slots) through which radiation takes place.
The equivalence principle is used to calculate the radiation fields. The
field inside the cavity is assumed equal to zero, and its influence on the field
in the infinite region outside is represented by the equivalent surface currents
on the surface of the cavity.

electric wall
x

Js ,Ms
z
y

J s= n H
M s =n E

Js ,Ms
Nikolova 2014

17

Because of the very small height h of the substrate, the field is

concentrated beneath the patch. There is some actual electrical current at the
top metallic plate, however, its contribution to radiation is negligible. That is
because: (1) it is backed by a conductor, and (2) it is very weak compared to
the equivalent currents at the slots. The actual electrical current density of the
top patch is maximum at the edges of the patch.
In the cavity model, the side walls employ magnetic-wall boundary
condition, which sets the tangential H components at the slots equal to zero.
Therefore,
(21.43)
J s =n H =0 .
Only the equivalent magnetic current density
M s =n E

(21.44)

has substantial contribution to the radiated field.

electric wall
x

Ms

Js = 0

Ms =
2n E

Ms
The influence of the infinite ground plane is accounted for by the image
theory, according to which the currents M s in the presence of the infinite
plane radiate as if magnetic currents of double strength radiate in free space:
(21.45)
Ms =
2n E .
Note that an Ex field at the slots corresponds to M s density vector, which is
tangential to the ground plane. Thus, its image is of the same direction. The
x
equivalent magnetic current densities for the dominant TM 001
mode are
sketched below.

Nikolova 2014

18

Ms

slo
t#
2

slo

t#

Ms

E(001)
At slots #1 and #2, the equivalent M s currents are co-directed and with
equal amplitudes. They are constant along x and y.
Radiation from a slot with constant current density

P ( x, y , z )

rPQ

r
Q( x, z )

Ms

The radiation from an (x-y) slot of constant M s currents is found using

the electric vector potential F. Since M s has only a y component, so does F:
F = Fy y .

Nikolova 2014

19

e
Fy (r , , ) =
4

h /2 W /2

M y jk0 rPQ
dxdy .
rPQ e
h /2 W /2

(21.46)

Here, M y = 2 E0 , E0 being the phasor of the E-field at the radiating slot,

and rPQ = r r r = r x sin cos y sin sin .
h/2

W /2

e jk0 r
2e E0
Fy =
exp( jk0 x sin cos )dx exp( jk0 y sin sin )dy (21.47)

4p r h/2
W /2

e E0Wh jk0 r sin X sin Y

e

X
Y
2 r

Fy =

(21.48)

where

k0 h
sin cos ,
2
kW
Y = 0 sin sin .
2
According to the relation between the far-zone E-field and the vector
potential,
X=

Er 0, E =
j F , E =
j F ,

(21.49)

where = 0 / 0 , F = Fy cos sin , and F = Fy cos .

sin X sin Y
WhE0 jk0 r
,
cos sin
e
2 r
X
Y
WhE0 jk0 r
sin X sin Y
.
E =
jhe 0
e
cos
2 r
X
Y
Since 0 = k0 ,
E =
jhe 0

E = jk0W

V0 jk0 r
sin X sin Y
e
cos sin
,
X
Y
2 r

E = jk0W

V0 jk0 r
sin X sin Y
e
cos

.
2 r
X
Y

(21.50)
(21.51)

(21.52)
(21.53)

Here V0 = hE0 is the voltage between the patch edge and the ground plane.
Slots #1 and #2 form an array of two elements with excitation of equal
Nikolova 2014

20

magnitude and phase, separated by the physical distance L. Their AF is

k0 Leff

AF12 = 2cos
cos .
2

(21.54)

Here Leff = L + 2L is the effective patch length. Thus, the total radiation
field is

Eft

k0WV0 jk0 r
sin X sin Y k0 Leff

e
cos
sin
cos
cos

, (21.55)
r
X
Y
2

sin X sin Y k0 Leff

k WV

cos
cos
j 0 0 e jk0 r cos f

Et =

r
X
Y 2

(21.56)

Introducing Z = (k0 Leff / 2)cos , the pattern of the patch is obtained as

f ( ,ff
) = Ef2 + E2 = 1 sin 2 sin 2

sin X sin Y
cos Z .
X
Y

(21.57)

E-plane pattern (xz plane, = 0, 0 180)

k h

sin 0 sin
2
cos k0 Leff cos .
f E ( )
=

k0 h
2

sin
2
x
90

(21.58)

120

60
0.8
0.6

150

0.4

30

0.2
180

Nikolova 2014

E-pane
=
k0 h 0.1;
=
e r 2.2
Leff = 0.50 / e r

21

x
90

120

0.8

60

0.6
150

30

0.4
0.2

180

E-pane
=
k0 h 0.1;
=
e r 4.0
Leff = 0.50 / e r

H-plane pattern (xy plane, = 90, 0 90 and 270 360)

k h

k0W

sin 0 cos ff
sin
sin

2
2

f H ( ) =
cos f
k0 h
k0W
cos ff
sin
2
2

(21.59)

x
0
30

330

60

300

270

1
0.6 0.8
0.2 0.4
90

H-plane
=
k0 h 0.1;
=
e r 2.2
W = 0.5l0 / e r

Nikolova 2014

22

x
0
30

330

300

270

60

1
0.6 0.8
0.4
0.2
90

H-plane
=
=
k0 h 0.1;
e r 4.0
W = 0.5l0 / e r

Nikolova 2014

23

Fig. 14.17, p. 746, Balanis

Nikolova 2014

24

Fig. 14.18, p. 747, Balanis

Non-radiating slots: It can be shown that the slots at y = W / 2 and

y = W / 2 do no radiate in the principle E- and H-planes. In general, these
two slots do radiate away from the principle planes, but their field intensity is
everywhere small compared to that radiated by slots #1 and #2.
Nikolova 2014

25