A Compact Array Antenna: Explicit Design for C and X Band Applications

Abstract

A novel and compact design of a circularly polarized slot antenna (CPSA) is elaborated. With the aim of generating CP feature and enhancing the impedance bandwidth, four rectangular stubs are wisely embedded in the antenna feed line structure and slotted ground plane to excite two orthogonal E vectors. Subsequently, a suitable arrangement of CPSAs in the form of 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 array antennas provokes higher functionalities in C and X band applications, respectively. Sequentially rotated (SR) feed technique is adopted to excite the antenna structure in array configurations. Measured and simulated results confirm outperformance of the array antennas with respect to the previously proposed designs. Compact size, wider impedance and axial ratio (AR) bandwidth, higher gain, and suitable radiation characteristics, both in single and array configurations, confirm suitability of the proposed designs for communication systems.