How does the Microstrip antenna work?

Microstrip antennas are the low-profile antennas. A metal patch mounted on a ground level with a dielectric material in-between constitutes a Microstrip or Patch Antenna. These are very low size antennas having low radiation. The patch antennas are popular for low profile applications at frequencies above 100MHz.

Construction and working

The microstrip consists of a very thin metallic strip placed on a ground plane with a dielectric material in-between. The radiating element and feed lines are placed by the process of photo-etching on the dielectric material. Usually, the patch or microstrip is chosen to be square, circular or rectangular in shape for the ease of analysis and fabrication.

The above shown is the image of a microstrip patch antenna.

The length of the metal patch should be λ/2. When the antenna is excited, the waves generated within the di-electric undergo reflections and the energy is radiated from the edges of the metal patch which is very low.

Radiation Pattern

The radiation pattern of the microstrip patch antenna is broad. It has low radiation power and narrow frequency bandwidth. It has lesser directivity. To have a greater directivity, an array can be formed using these patch antennas.

The Advantages of Microstrip antenna are lighter weight, low cost, and ease of installation, while the disadvantages are inefficient radiation and narrow frequency bandwidth. These Microstrip antennas are used in spacecraft, aircraft and some low profile applications.