12.5GHz 4×4 Microstrip Antenna Array Design Detailed Tutorial

February 06, 2023

With the rapid development of wireless communication technologies, miniaturization and large-capacity communication systems have become the main development goals that have come so far. Because dual-polarized antennas have dual-channel communication with the same frequency band, improve communication capacity, achieve duplex operation, can improve system sensitivity, and resist multi-path effects, they are increasingly favored by people. Because the microstrip patch antenna has many advantages in terms of diversity of feed methods and polarization systems, as well as integration of feed networks and active circuits, the use of dual-polarized antennas has become a comparative advantage in improving communication capacity. Practical practice. Currently, there are mainly two types of commonly used dual-polarization work. The first is the use of a square patch as a radiating element, and the opposite patch antenna can excite a pair of radiating waves whose polarization directions are perpendicular to each other using double-fed orthogonal edges. The second is to use different antenna arrays to achieve different polarizations. The disadvantages are complex structures, difficult production, and high cost. We use two kinds of polarization methods on the same plane, and the feed method of the patch unit does not need to be changed. This article is to design and implement this array of dual-polarization microstrip antenna array unit -4 & TImes; 4 antenna array.

1 Design of microstrip antenna array

The basic structure of the patch antenna used in this paper is shown in Figure 1, in which Figure (a) is an antenna structure consisting of a patch layer, a dielectric layer, and a ground layer. Figure (b) shows the basic structure of the microstrip patch unit. By adjusting the feeding method of the microstrip patch unit, horizontal and vertical polarization can be achieved. Figure (c) is the structure diagram of the most basic group cell 2 & TImes;2.

Figure 1 The basic structure of a patch antenna

In the design process, copper is used for both the patch layer and the ground layer, and the dielectric layer uses a Rogers RT/duroid 5880 with a dielectric constant of 2.2. According to the center frequency of the antenna working 12.5GHz, the length and width of the microstrip patch antenna element, the length and width of the feedback part, the impedance matching between the array elements and other relevant data can be obtained through calculation or simulation optimization. Based on the above calculations and simulation data, we made a PCB board for the antenna. The physical map of the 4&Times 4 microstrip antenna array is shown in Figure 2.

12.5GHz 4×4 Microstrip Antenna Array Design Detailed Tutorial

Figure 2 Physical map of 4&TImes; 4 microstrip antenna array

2 Microstrip antenna array simulation and test results

We first simulated the antenna array with Ansoft HFSS simulation software. Figure 3 shows the simulation of the standing wave and gain of the 4×4 microstrip antenna array. From the standing wave simulation results on the left, we can see that the standing wave of the antenna array at 12.5GHz is about 1.2. From the gain simulation results on the right, we can see that the gain of the antenna array can reach about 20dB. Then, the manufactured PCB is taken to the microwave darkroom for actual testing (the length, width and height of the darkroom are 15m, 9m and 9m, respectively. The distance between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna for testing is 10m, and the distance between the tested antennas The height of the ground is 2.5m). The actual test results are shown in Figure 4, Figure 5, and Figure 6, respectively. FIG. 4 shows the standing wave test results of the antenna array, and FIG. 5 shows the E plane directions of the antenna arrays at 12.25 GHz, 12.5 GHz, and 12.75 GHz, respectively. FIG. 4 is an H-plane pattern of the antenna array at 12.25 GHz, 12.5 GHz, and 12.75 GHz, respectively. Table 1 shows the actual test data of the antenna array on the H plane.

12.5GHz 4×4 Microstrip Antenna Array Design Detailed Tutorial

Figure 3 Simulation of the standing wave and gain of a 4×4 microstrip antenna array

12.5GHz 4×4 Microstrip Antenna Array Design Detailed Tutorial

Figure 4 Standing Wave Measurements of a 4×4 Antenna Array

Table 1 Actual test data of the antenna array on the H plane.

12.5GHz 4×4 Microstrip Antenna Array Design Detailed Tutorial

Figure 5 4x4 antenna array at 12.25 GHz,

E-plane pattern at 12.5GHz and 12.75GHz

12.5GHz 4×4 Microstrip Antenna Array Design Detailed Tutorial

Figure 6 4x4 antenna array at 12.25 GHz, 12.5 GHz,

H-plane pattern at 12.75 GHz

From the actual test results, we can see that at 12.5 GHz, the standing wave of the antenna array is less than 2, and the center point is slightly shifted. The actual gain test result is 19.24 dBi. Although there are some differences between the actual measurement results and the simulation results, the test results basically meet the design requirements. The existence of these differences may be caused by the factors of antenna plate making, the test environment, the test plan, and the loss of cable joints. This is an inevitable factor in actual production.

3 Conclusion

The basic array elements of the dual-polarized phased array antenna designed in this paper have been simulated, fabricated, processed and tested. The results obtained meet the actual design requirements. It lays the foundation for the design of dual-polarized antennas at the same level, and provides a reliable theoretical and practical basis for the future research of new dual-polarized phased array antennas.

前

私たちを苦しめます

著者:

Ms. Zoe Zhong

Eメール:

sales07@ynxantenna.com

Phone/WhatsApp:

+8618617178558