A novel dual-polarized gain-enhanced microstrip patch antenna.

A broadside direction gain-enhanced low-cost dual-polarized microstrip patch antenna has been presented. The proposed antenna consists of a slot-loaded cross-shaped patch and shorting pins. The orthogonal polarized radiating elements works in TM05 and TM12, meanwhile slot-loaded excite TM01. The equivalent magnetic currents (EMCs) amplitude, frequency, and flow direction of the TM12 are controlled by shorting pins to form the broadside gain enhancement. The superposition of them can enhance the gain in the broadside direction. The proposed antenna is coaxial feed. The substrate is divided into two layers: air and FR4. A copper column is added to the air layer to greatly improve the polarized isolation of the antenna. The size of the proposed antenna is 2.29λ0×2.29λ0×0.069λ0 (λ0 is the wavelength of free space at the central frequency). The simulated maximum realized gain is 12.59 dB, and the realized gain is better than 11.53 dB in operating band. The measured maximum realized gain is 12.05 dB, and the realized gain is better than 10.04 dB. The dual-polarized microstrip patch antenna has the advantages of low cost and high gain, which can be used in the modern wireless communication system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]