Slot-loaded gap-coupled microstrip array antenna for wide impedance bandwidth

Abstract

A novel design of four-element gap-coupled slot rectangular microstrip array antenna fed by aperture coupling is presented for wideband operation. From the experimental results it is seen that a - 10 dB return loss impedance bandwidth of 34.17% is achieved at X-band frequencies. This impedance bandwidth is 2.43 times more than that of conventional corporate fed four-element gap-coupled rectangular microstrip array antenna, which operates at triple band of frequencies. The effect of slot in the radiating and parasitic elements and use of aperture coupling is studied for converting its triple bands into a single band. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.