Efficient high gain with low sidelobe level antenna structures using circular array of square parasitic patches on a superstrate layer

This article proposes efficient high gain with low sidelobe level (SLL) antenna structures using circular array of square parasitic patches (CASPPs) for wireless applications. The antenna structure consists of a microstrip antenna that feeds a CASPP fabricated on a low cost FR4 superstrate. The patches on superstrate are suspended in air at about λ o /2. The structure with 19‐element CASPPs is designed, fabricated, and tested. The measured VSWR is <2 over 5.725–5.875 GHz frequency band. The antenna with a single square patch provides a gain of 12.6 dB; whereas, the antenna with 19‐element CASPPs provides a gain of 18.3 dB with 93.4% efficiency, SLL of −26.1 dB, and front to back lobe ratio of >20 dB. Antenna with CASPPs on finite ground requires 25% less ground plane size as compared to planar array. The proposed structure can be packaged inside an application platform. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52:2812–2817, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.25613