Low cost efficient high gain antenna using array of parasitic patches on a superstrate layer.

This article proposes a low cost efficient high gain antenna using array of parasitic patches for wireless applications. The antenna structure consists of a microstrip antenna which feeds an array of square parasitic patches fabricated on a low cost FR4 superstrate. The patches on superstrate are suspended in air at λ0/2. The structure with 5 × 5 array of square parasitic patches is designed, fabricated, and tested. The measured voltage standing wave ratio (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 5 × 5 array of square parasitic patches provides a gain of 18.0 dB with 92% efficiency, SLL of -18.4 dB and front to back lobe ratio of more than 20 dB. The proposed structure can be packaged inside an application platform. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 733–739, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24156 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]